Primary school pupils from Dovecot Primary School with their hands in air
More than 67,000 children and young people across Merseyside have benefited from the Pol-Ed educational programme in its first six months, with the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner now urging every school and educational setting to sign up and help expand its reach even further.
The innovative online resource is available free of charge to every school, educational setting and youth organisation across the region through investment from the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP).
Developed by West Yorkshire Police, Pol-Ed was launched across Merseyside in April to support educational and youth organisations in delivering engaging, curriculum-linked lessons on personal safety, healthy relationships, citizenship, the law and the consequences of crime and risky behaviour.
A six-month review of the programme, covering its launch in April through to the end of September, shows schools across Merseyside have adopted the programme at a faster rate than many other areas where Pol-Ed has been introduced
The review found that across Merseyside:
- 390 schools have registered, representing almost 66% of all schools
- 2,757 lessons delivered, reaching 67,077 children and young people.
- 412 assemblies delivered to a further 37,693 pupils.
- 3,558 teachers and school staff registered to access resources.
- 169 police-led educational sessions delivered to 5,859 children and young people.
The strongest uptake continues to be among secondary schools, with more than 76% now registered, while almost 63% of primary schools have also signed up.
Schools across all five locally authority areas have embraced the programme. St Helens boasting the highest overall registration rate, with more than 75% of schools signed up, while Liverpool has the largest number of registered schools, with 135 settings using the platform.
Liverpool has also recorded the highest volume of activity with more than 1,100 lessons delivered in the first six months reaching nearly 30,000 pupils. On the Wirral, 890 lessons have reached 17,850 students.
Following the programme’s strong first six months, the MVRP has committed funding to continue Pol-Ed across the region during 2027-28, ensuring schools, colleges and youth organisations can continue accessing the platform free of charge.
“The progress we’ve seen in just six months has been remarkable.
“When we invested in bringing this programme to every school in our region, our ambition was to provide teachers with easy access to engaging, evidence-based resources that help children and young people understand risk, stay safe and make positive choices.
“To see nearly 400 schools sign up and more than 67,000 children and young people benefit from lessons and nearly 38,000 receive a Pol-Ed assembly in the first six months alone is a fantastic achievement.
“What is particularly encouraging is that schools aren’t simply signing up. They are actively using these resources in classrooms, assemblies and alongside police-led sessions to give young people the knowledge and confidence they need to stay safe.
“Prevention is always better than intervention. If we can help young people navigate challenges, recognise risks and make positive choices before harm occurs, we stand a far better chance of creating safer communities and brighter futures.
“While we’re delighted that two-thirds of all schools are now registered, we want to go further. We want every child and young person in Merseyside to have access to this support. That’s why we’re encouraging every remaining school, college, alternative provision setting and youth organisation to get involved.
“The success of the programme is why the MVRP has committed funding for a further year, ensuring schools and youth organisations can continue accessing these valuable resources free of charge.
“Our goal is simple: we want every educational setting in Merseyside to be part of Pol-Ed.”
Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell
School engagement has accelerated since the start of the new academic year, with more than 44,000 children receiving lessons during the three months following the summer term alone.
Popular lesson topics have included healthy relationships, online relationships, respect and equality, preparing for secondary school and understanding the balance between freedom and the law. Schools have also made extensive use of assemblies covering topics such as responsible use of artificial intelligence, water safety and railway safety.
On average, almost 30 schools a week have been actively delivering Pol-Ed content since its launch.
“It is fantastic to see how quickly schools and educational settings across Merseyside have embraced Pol-Ed, reaching more than 100,000 children and young people in just six months.
“These figures demonstrate the value of providing educators with accessible, high-quality safeguarding and prevention resources that help young people make informed choices and stay safe. We are delighted to continue working with the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership to extend this positive impact even further.”
Amy Watkins Head of Pol-Ed
“We are delighted that the programme has been so well received, and officers continue to see first-hand the positive engagement and enthusiasm from pupils when they deliver the sessions in schools.
“Young people show a genuine interest in topics such as anti-social behaviour and the impact it can have on people, families and communities. Through open and honest discussions, we encourage them to consider the consequences of their actions and the wider effect it can have on those around them.
“The programme creates opportunities for meaningful conversations, helping young people to recognise situations they may be vulnerable and become involved in, while increasing their understanding of how these issues can affect not only their communities, but also their own future and the people closest to them.
“By sharing real-life examples, school staff and safer schools officers help pupils understand the potential consequences of poor decision-making and the long-term impact it can have on future opportunities, education and career aspirations. “Building positive relationships with young people is at the heart of the programme, and through these engagements we aim to empower them to make informed, positive life choices and stay safe from harm.”
Faye Smith, Merseyside Police Safer Schools Coordinator
Sign up for Pol-Ed
Pol-Ed is completely free for all Merseyside schools, colleges, educational settings and youth organisations.
It provides resources covering a wide range of themes including healthy relationships, online safety, violence against women and girls, exploitation, citizenship, knife crime awareness, mental health and personal safety.
All materials meet PSHE and RSE curriculum requirements and are mapped against the PSHE Association’s objectives. Pol Ed covers all statutory PSHE content and will meet at least 90% of the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study once fully complete.
A reporting function is also available to help PSHE leads track lesson delivery and monitor engagement across their setting.
Join Pol-Ed today
Organisations can register directly for Pol-Ed, add staff members and begin accessing resources immediately.
Support
The Pol‑Ed team are on hand to help with onboarding, technical support and lesson suggestions. Schools can also submit ideas for new content through the “Suggest a Lesson” form on the website.
For more information or support, contact: Pol.Ed@westyorkshire.police.uk
