Site Directory
Education and Learning
Parents and Carers
Health and Wellbeing
ALEC
What is ALEC?
ALEC (Aberdeenshire Life Education Centres) is part of LEC, an international health education charity working in partnership with schools, parents, businesses and the wider community to provide Healthy Life Choice Education, including drug education, to all nursery and primary children in Aberdeenshire. The programmes supplement and complement the work ongoing in primary schools.
ALEC is a partnership between Education, Learning & Leisure Service of Aberdeenshire Council, and nine north-east Rotary Clubs. To date, local Rotarians have raised more than £300,000 to buy the two mobile classrooms (MCRs) which now visit every primary and nursery school in Aberdeenshire, delivering age appropriate programmes on health issues including drugs awareness. ALEC is jointly managed by a Steering Committee, comprising E&R staff and local Rotarians.
The 1st MCR began delivering programmes in 2001 to schools in north & central Aberdeenshire, but shire-wide coverage was achieved in 2005 with the arrival of the 2nd MCR. Both MCRs are towed to every Community School Network (CSN) in Aberdeenshire on a rolling programme and each primary or nursery school can expect a visit approximately every 15th months (ie every 5th term.) Staff sessions are offered prior to the MCR’s visit.
How does ALEC work?
Aberdeenshire E&R Service currently has four LEC trained educators, two of whom work in the two MCRs on a full-time basis. ALEC educators are experienced primary teachers who have undergone three months’ intensive LEC training in order to deliver the eight age appropriate programmes in the MCRs.
ALEC aims to give children an awareness of how their bodies work, how unique and special they are and how a person’s health is influenced by the choices he/she makes. Not only knowledge but also skills and attitudes are developed using an open and inclusive teaching style.
The teaching style is interactive and multi-sensory as the MCRs have a range of exciting audio-visual equipment, including TAM, an anatomically correct life-sized body model which lights up, a talking brain, special effect lighting, music and of course Harold, a singing giraffe who is a huge hit with the younger classes! The MCRs create a unique learning environment and an unforgettable experience for the visiting pupils.
ALEC covers mental health as well as physical health and personal and social education is included, with issues such as bullying and peer influence tackled through a range of drama activities. Self esteem building and assertiveness skills are important elements of LEC programmes, giving children not only information, but also the confidence needed to make their own decisions and take increasing responsibility for their health. See programme synopsis below for details of each programme.
Involving parents & carers:
ALEC acknowledges that parents are the single biggest influence on a child’s life. Partnership working with parents and carers is strongly encouraged and schools are always offered a parents/carers’ session during the MCR’s visit, giving parents/carers the opportunity to find out about LEC programmes and how parents/carers can support this work at home.
Larger schools can opt to hold evening sessions, often led by the ALEC educator in partnership with the school’s Police Liaison Officer, whilst smaller schools invite parents and carers to visit the MCR on site. On each occasion, educators can answer parents’ queries and can give advice on supporting the work of ALEC at home.
Contact details:
Murray Matthew - ALEC Chairperson/Rotarian
Hut 10
Inverurie Academy
Jackson St.
Inverurie
AB51 3PX
Aboyne, Alford, Banchory, Huntly, Inverurie, Kemnay, Laurencekirk, Meldrum, Stonehaven and Westhill CSNs
Lorraine Morrice - 07881 670125 (mobile)
Banff, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Mintlaw, Peterhead, Portlethen, Turriff CSNs
Sheila Mair (until Dec 06) - 07795 801168 (mobile)
thereafter Kim Dodd - 07917 086314 (mobile)
Life Education Centres Programme Synopsis
Taking Care of Myself. Nursery - 30mins
The children find out about how their body works, what it needs to stay healthy and about the important people in their lives. They also begin to explore how they can help their body to stay healthy by eating healthy food, getting enough sleep, doing exercise and looking after their own personal hygiene. Activities, songs and discussions are based around the ‘Sam’s Day’ audiovisual and Harold the giraffe puppet.
All About Me. P1 - 45mins
The children find out about their bodies and things to do to help their bodies stay healthy. Issues concerning the safe use of medicines are introduced. They also explore feelings, how to deal with them positively and the role friends and family play in their lives. Activities, songs, drama and discussion are based around the audio-visual of Harold’s visit to his grandparents.
My Wonderful Body. P2 – 60mins
The children find out about their bodies and things to do to help their bodies stay healthy and safe. There is an emphasis on healthy foods and the safe use of medicines. Opportunities exist to explore feelings and relationships, especially within peer groups. The effects of teasing and name-calling are explored. Activities, songs, drama and discussion are generated from an audio-visual based upon Harold’s picnic with his friends.
Feelings. P3 – 60mins
The children find out about their bodies and discover that there are different ways of looking after the body some of which involve personal choice. Medicine safety is also covered. The children then explore a situation involving bullying and the feelings and consequences that arise. Activities, songs, dance, drama and discussions are stimulated by use of Harold the giraffe and audio-visual material concerning Brenda who is being left out by her friends.
Meet the Brain. P4 – 60mins
The children find out about the body, how it works and what it needs to stay healthy with a particular focus on the brain and nervous system. They begin to explore issues around the use of medicines, cigarettes and alcohol and personal choice. There is also an opportunity to explore the qualities of friendship and understand the skills needed to be more effective in the peer group. Activities, songs, drama and discussions are based around the audio visual of Sam in the Supermarket, the Talking Brain and Harold the Giraffe puppet.
It’s Great to be Me. P5– 75mins
The children find out about the organs and body systems inside the body. They also explore the effect on the body of cigarettes and alcohol and attitudes towards themselves, their bodies and the use of medicines, cigarettes and alcohol. There are opportunities throughout the programme for children to understand that individuals are able to make their own decisions and to recognise the need to take responsibility for their own safety and behaviour.
Activities, songs, drama and discussions are based around audiovisuals of aliens discovering facts about humans and a trip to the planet Conformatron. The children also help Harold the giraffe puppet with a difficult decision.
Friends. P6 - 90mins
The children discover more about the organs and body systems inside the body. They are given opportunities to discuss the effects of drugs on the body, attitudes towards drugs and influences on choices relating to drug use. There is a focus on developing and practising assertiveness skills and also recognising and dealing with feelings. Activities and discussions are based around audiovisuals of aliens reporting about humans and the ‘Steve’s Bike’ audio-visual. Children use drama and role-play techniques to explore the issues raised.
Decisions. P7 - 90mins
Children explore the effects of drugs on the organs and systems of the body. They discuss cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis and, if appropriate, volatile substances. There are opportunities to explore attitudes and possible alternatives to drug use. The main focus of the programme is peer dynamics. Audio-visuals, discussion, drama and role-play are used to explore reactions to a situation involving alcohol and bullying behaviour. Children are given an opportunity to understand the group dynamic and develop skills to function more effectively in peer group situations.
