In January, a cardiac screening programme was held in Big School Hall to help identify young people at risk of sudden cardiac death. The screening was organised in collaboration with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which works to detect and prevent potentially fatal heart conditions in individuals aged 14-35.

During the screening, 101 pupils underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess the electrical activity of their hearts. Some also required an echocardiogram, an ultrasound scan that examines heart size, structure, and blood flow. These tests, conducted by qualified cardiac physiologists, were painless and took only a few minutes to complete. The results were reviewed by a doctor alongside personal and family medical histories, and in cases where abnormalities were detected, further investigations were recommended.

CRY reports that at least 12 young people in the UK die each week from undiagnosed heart conditions. Since its founding in 1995, the charity has been dedicated to reducing the incidence of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD) by offering screening programmes, funding medical research, and providing support for affected families.

Plans are already in place to hold another screening clinic in the future.