As part of The Acorns School’s commitment to pupils’ health and wellbeing, we regularly welcome external organisations into school to speak to our learners and support their personal development, something which is just as important as their academic development.
On Tuesday, 29 September, we were delighted to welcome the team from Smokefree Lancashire into school as they delivered engaging and interactive sessions to all pupils across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Commissioned by Lancashire County Council, Smokefree Lancashire is an NHS stop-smoking service which provides expert advice to people aged 12 and over across the county.
Every session that the team ran was tailored to each year group’s age range and provided age-appropriate information about the risks of smoking and vaping, including the impact on individuals’ physical health and mental wellbeing.
During the sessions, pupils explored the influences and pressures which can lead young people to try smoking and vaping, and also considered the short and long-term consequences, including addiction.
Pupils discussed these topics openly with one another and the Smokefree Lancashire team, engaging in a positive and mature manner. They were encouraged to ask questions to deepen their understanding, challenge misconceptions to expand their thinking, and also worked well in teams to develop strategies on making informed and healthy choices away from external pressures.
At the end of each session, Smokefree Lancashire’s team reinforced to pupils the importance of knowing where to seek reliable information and support, which includes a wealth of knowledge and advice on their own website and Instagram.
The sessions formed a valuable addition to our Personal Development and PSHE curriculum, helping pupils build knowledge, resilience and confidence to make positive choices about their health and wellbeing.
Throughout the 2026/27 academic year, we will continue to welcome organisations into school to support our pupils’ personal development. Next month, we will be joined in school by Kooth, a digital mental health and emotional wellbeing service for young people.
