Education bosses are encouraging all schools to have a defibrillator on site in case of emergencies.

It follows the tragic death of trainee teacher, Ian Babington, at Roundhill Academy, last month.

Mr Babington, 45, collapsed while teaching after suffering a heart attack.

Despite efforts to revive him using the school's defibrillator, he died the following day.

It's believed around 93 schools across the city and county have defibrillators, along with specifically trained staff.

Many schools acquired them following the death of Joe Humphries who died from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (Sads) aged just 14 in October 2012, while out running near his family home in Rothley.

In the wake of this, his family set up theJoe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT) and have been campaigning tirelessly for schools and elsewhere to get defibrillators through the Heartsafe programme.

James Tickle, head of Roundhill Academy, said: "We contacted Heartsafe regarding its programme after receiving a leaflet about the project and a presentation to Leicestershire secondary heads. We've had a defibrillator since October 2015 and there are currently 11 staff trained in using it.

"It's kept in the main school office and is easily accessible. Our intention is to train every child in Key Stage 4 in CPR and use of the defibrillator.

"We highly recommend all schools look into the Heartsafe programme which aims to ensure that every young person receives emergency life support training and guidance on how to use a defibrillator."

Councillor Sarah Russell, assistant city mayor for schools, said: "All our city secondaries have defibrillators and we would encourage others to get them too because you just never know when it might be needed."

Steve Humphries, Joe's dad, said: "The Leicestershire Heartsafe Schools Programme provides training to year 10 pupils, aimed at raising awareness of cardiac arrest and teaching them how to use an automated defibrillator, along with how to put someone in the recovery position.

"The programme has provided 93 of these to secondary schools in the city and county.

"Without question, every child who leaves school should know how to save a life including and how to use an defibrillator as we need to make inroads into the horrendously low survival rates of less then 10 per cent in the UK surviving a cardiac arrest.

"They should be as common as fire extinguishers and not just confined to schools."

Rushey Mead Academy, says it has never had to use its defibrillator but staff are happy it's available.

Assistant principal Zoe Conneally said: "We know through Heartsafe and the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust just how important it is to have this piece of vital life saving equipment. I'd urge all schools to get one without doubt. They're easy to use and tell you whether or not the individual is actually in need of it. We educate our pupils to have first aid skills and are constantly refreshing them."

Taylor Road Primary is St Matthews, Leicester, also has a defibrillator.

Head teacher Chris Hassall said: "We absolutely felt that it was something we should have in the school and others should too."

By Fiona Dryden - Leicester Mercury Education Correspondent

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Defibrillators-schools/story-29233088-detail/story.html