An evening with The Air Ambulance
St Gabriel’s hosted an evening event featuring a guest speaker from the Air Ambulance service, aimed at raising awareness of emergency medical services and the vital role of air ambulances in saving lives. Pupils, parents, and staff from the school and local community attended and heard first hand about the challenges and experiences faced by Air Ambulance crews.
During the event, the speaker shared real-life stories, practical insights, and safety advice, inspiring pupils and the wider community to appreciate the importance of rapid response services. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions, engage in discussions, and learn about careers in emergency services.
The evening fostered community engagement, awareness of critical public services, and inspiration for pupils, highlighting the value of outreach events that connect the school with local professionals and emergency service providers.
Aims
Aims of the Case Study / Partnership:
To raise awareness of the role and importance of Air Ambulance services.
To educate pupils and the community about emergency medical procedures and safety.
To inspire interest in STEM subjects, first aid, and emergency service careers.
To foster engagement between St Gabriel’s and local professionals.
To strengthen community connections by bringing pupils, families, and local stakeholders together.
Identified Need:
Pupils and the community benefit from understanding emergency medical services and the challenges faced by Air Ambulance crews.
There was a demand for real-life insights, career inspiration, and practical knowledge beyond the classroom.
Critical Factors for Success:
Engaging and knowledgeable guest speaker able to communicate experiences effectively.
Suitable facilities for hosting pupils, parents, and staff safely.
Planning and organisation for audience management, Q&A sessions, and logistics.
Support from school staff to coordinate the event and facilitate participation.
Promotion of the event to ensure high attendance and engagement.
Immediate Beneficiaries:
Pupils, who gain inspiration, knowledge of emergency services, and insight into potential career paths.
Teachers and staff, who benefit from linking learning to real-world contexts.
Wider Community Beneficiaries:
Parents and families, who increase understanding of Air Ambulance services and first aid awareness.
Local community, through strengthened links with the school and exposure to life-saving services.
St Gabriel’s, by demonstrating commitment to community engagement and enrichment beyond the curriculum.
Background
The event was developed as part of St Gabriel’s Society Evenings, a series of enrichment activities designed to bring pupils, families, and the local community together to explore real-world topics and professional experiences.
The opportunity was identified by St Gabriel’s Director of Parnerships who sought to connect the school community with local professionals and provide engaging, educational experiences beyond the classroom. They approached the Air Ambulance service to deliver a guest speaker session highlighting emergency response, public safety, and career opportunities.
The initiative is recently established, with the first evening held in 2023 as part of the launch of the St Gabriel’s Society Evenings programme.
Resources
The school theatre was used for the talk and presentation.
Audio-visual equipment (e.g., PowerPoint, projector, microphones) supported the speaker’s presentation.
A reception area in Gabbies was used for arrival drinks and canapés prior to the talk.
Use of Staff:
Both teaching and non-teaching staff supported the event, providing support in invitations & correspondence between The Air Ambulance.
Approximately 4 staff members were involved, managing the event for the full evening, including set-up, hospitality, supervision, and clean-up.
Financial Contribution:
Costs included refreshments (drinks and canapés) and AV setup, covered by St Gabriel’s.
Audience members were invited to make donations to the Air Ambulance, which contributed to the charity’s ongoing work.
Impact
Qualitative Assessment:
Feedback is gathered informally from pupils, parents, and staff about enjoyment, engagement, and what they learned from the talk.
Observations of audience participation during Q&A sessions provide insight into engagement and understanding.
The event allows reflection on awareness of emergency services and potential career inspiration.
Quantitative Assessment:
At this stage, there is no formal numerical assessment, though attendance can be tracked (number of pupils, parents, and staff attending).
Donations collected at the end of the evening offer a tangible measure of audience engagement and support for the charity.
Frequency of Assessment:
Assessment currently occurs once per event, immediately after the evening through observations and feedback.
Anticipated Outcomes:
Increased awareness and understanding of Air Ambulance services among pupils, parents, and staff.
Enhanced interest in first aid, emergency response, and STEM-related careers.
Strengthened community connections and school partnerships with local professionals.
Audience members feel inspired and motivated to support charitable services, as reflected in donations.
Pupil Involvement
Pupil Involvement:
Pupils from St Gabriel’s and the surrounding schools were invited to attend the event and were actively involved in listening, asking questions, and participating in discussions during the talk.
The evening was primarily a community-focused event, so there were various external pupil participants mainly from sixth form age groups. Pupils played a key role in engaging with the speaker and sharing reflections afterward.
Age of Pupils:
Pupils attending were typically 10–18 years old.
Gender of Pupils:
Participation was mixed-gender, with all pupils encouraged to take part equally in discussions and Q&A sessions.
Frequency
Annual event under The St Gabriel's society An evening with talks.