Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Lifesaving defibrillators delivered to all state schools in England

The rollout follows campaigning by Mark King whose 12-year-old son Oliver suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at school during a swimming lesson.

Eleanor Busby
Monday 24 July 2023 19:01 EDT
More than 20,000 defibrillators have been delivered to state schools (Chris Radburn/PA)
More than 20,000 defibrillators have been delivered to state schools (Chris Radburn/PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

All state schools in England now have access to a potentially lifesaving defibrillator, the Government has confirmed.

More than 20,000 defibrillators – which are devices that give an electric shock to the heart of a person who is in cardiac arrest – have been delivered to state schools across the country since January.

In July last year, the Government pledged that every state school in England would receive a machine by the end of the 2022/23 academic year.

It came after campaigning by Mark King whose 12-year-old son Oliver suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at school during a swimming lesson in 2011.

Mr King, who set up the Oliver King Foundation, and former England footballer Jamie Carragher have been pushing for mandatory defibrillators in all schools.

A total of 20,376 defibrillators have been delivered to 17,862 state schools in England, backed by £19 million of Government funding.

Large schools have been provided with two or more defibrillators so they can be placed in areas where a cardiac arrest is more likely, such as sports halls.

The Department for Education (DfE) has said millions of children in England now have access to these devices, which it said drastically increase the chance of pupils and teachers surviving a cardiac arrest.

Secondary school pupils are also being taught lifesaving methods, such as CPR and the purpose of defibrillators, it added.

Teachers and pupils across the country can now be reassured that they will have access to one on school grounds should tragedy strike

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan

Mr King said: “We as a family and foundation will continue to strive for change so no other family has to suffer as we are.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to Nadhim Zahawi, Lord Stuart Polak, Jamie Carragher and the DfE for helping us aim for legislation.

“Oliver’s memory will live on and lives will be saved.”

Last month, the Government announced that defibrillators had been delivered to all secondary state schools in England.

Now all eligible primary, special and alternative provision schools who did not already have a defibrillator have received a device, the DfE has confirmed.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Having access to defibrillators in schools drastically increases the chance of pupils, teachers and visitors surviving a cardiac arrest.

“Thanks to the tireless campaigning of Mark King, Jamie Carragher and Nicola Carragher we are proud to say that every state-funded school in England now has access to a defibrillator.

Teachers and pupils across the country can now be reassured that they will have access to one on school grounds should tragedy strike.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in