This conversation explores the Pol-Ed program, an innovative educational initiative developed by West Yorkshire Police to enhance the understanding of law and safety among children.

Amy Watkins, the head of Pol-Ed, shares her journey from education to policing, the evolution of the program since its inception in 2018, and its impact on schools across West Yorkshire. The discussion highlights the program’s alignment with the PSHE curriculum, its engagement with other police forces, and the future aspirations for expanding its reach nationally.

Takeaways

• Amy Watkins transitioned from education to policing to impact children’s lives.
• Pol-Ed aims to educate children on law and safety.
• The program started in 2018 and has evolved significantly.
• Over 90% of schools in West Yorkshire are registered with Pol-Ed.
• The curriculum is designed to be relevant to local issues.
• Pol-Ed is aligned with the PSHE national curriculum.
• The program is available for all age groups from early years to post-16.
• Costs for police forces are minimal, around 10p per child annually.
• The initiative aims for national rollout to reach more children.
• Future goals include continuous development of content and expansion to more forces.

Sound Bites

• “The aim was to roll this out nationally.”
• “It works out for a force less than 10p per child.”
• “We hope to reach as many children as possible.”

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Pol-Ed and Amy Watkins
01:31 – Amy’s Journey from Education to Policing
02:15 – The Evolution of Pol-Ed Since 2018
04:12 – Understanding the Pol-Ed Program
09:24 – Impact and Reach of Pol-Ed
10:11 – Engagement with Other Police Forces
12:36 – The Role of PSHE in Education
14:23 – Target Audience and Curriculum Structure
15:09 – Cost Structure and Benefits of Pol-Ed
17:19 – Future Aspirations for Pol-Ed

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