More than one million children and families across the UK are now engaged in life-saving skin cancer prevention scheme.
Developed by the specialist skin cancer charity SKCIN, the Sun Safe Schools programme is the first and only national accreditation scheme of its kind.
Launched in 2012, it draws inspiration from Australia’s ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ campaign and has since worked to embed sun protection into the heart of the UK’s education system.
The announcement comes as schools close for summer following a particularly hot term, with UV levels soaring across the country.
Embedding prevention early
CEO of SKCIN, Marie Tudor, said: “We’ve always believed that planting the seeds of sun safety in early years education is the key to preventing skin cancer for future generations.”
The programme was instrumental in getting sun safety education added to the national PSHE curriculum in 2020, and demand has surged in recent years as skin cancer rates in England continue to rise, currently over 220,000 cases a year.
Safeguarding responsibility
Dr Amy Perkins, a dermatology specialist and SKCIN ambassador, warned that children’s delicate skin is especially vulnerable
“Sunburn can occur in a matter of minutes, particularly between 11am and 3pm. Schools have a duty of care to provide a sun safe environment,” she said.
The programme includes a four-step accreditation process helping schools set policy, gain parental support and educate entire communities. Its whole-school approach is seen as key to long-term prevention, with up to 80% of UV damage occurring before the age of 18.
Simon Morrison, CEO of the British Association of Dermatologists, called the programme “a fantastic achievement worthy of national recognition”.Watch the Sun Safe Schools film: YouTube link
