Why Termly AED and CPR Refreshers Matter
Frequent refreshers in AED and CPR ensure staff are ready to act confidently in emergencies, boosting preparedness and compliance year-round.
Every school day, staff assume responsibility for the health, wellbeing, and safety of pupils, sometimes in emergency situations where every second counts. Sudden cardiac arrest, while rare in children, can affect anyone on site, including staff, parents, and visitors.
AEDs (automated external defibrillators) and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) are proven to improve survival from cardiac arrest when delivered rapidly and effectively. However, research and national audits show these skills can fade within months if they are not practiced.
The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Resuscitation Council UK are clear: first aid competence relies on both formal certification and the regular rehearsal of practical skills. Ofsted and the Department for Education require schools to maintain up-to-date first aid provision. Inspectors increasingly expect to see evidence that staff are genuinely prepared, rather than just trained once and forgotten.
If schools neglect regular skill refreshers, they risk inadequate response to emergencies, increased anxiety among staff and pupils, and potential legal consequences if provision falls below statutory and regulatory expectations. In real terms, this can cost precious minutes during a cardiac event and have a lasting impact on the whole school community.
Common Pitfalls
There are several recurring mistakes schools make around maintaining AED and CPR readiness:
Relying solely on annual or tri-annual ‘big day’ training
Many schools tick the first aid box once a year, then ignore skills maintenance until the next course. Unfortunately, evidence shows that retention, particularly for CPR, drops sharply after as little as three to six months if not practised.Confusing certification expiry with real competence
A current certificate only indicates that a person passed a course on a given day, not that they remain proficient or confident under pressure.Believing quick e-learning or video refreshers are enough
While online refreshers can help top up knowledge, effective CPR and AED skills are practical and hands-on. Without using a training manikin or mock AED, people are more likely to freeze or make errors in a real emergency.Assuming staff will “step up on the day”
Stressful situations do not create new skills. They reveal the habits, muscle memory, and confidence built through regular practice.Overcomplicating the refresher process
Some heads and first aid leads imagine refreshers require a half day off timetable or comprehensive formal training every few months. This often prevents any practice at all.
Understanding these pitfalls shows that effective skill maintenance must be simple, time-efficient, and embedded into the school culture.
Step-by-Step Fix
Below is a tried and sustainable approach to maintaining CPR and AED skills in schools. It supports statutory compliance, protects everyone on site, and builds staff confidence.
Step 1. Create a rolling schedule of short, practical refreshers
What to do:
Break down the annual requirement into manageable chunks. Schedule short, in-person practice sessions every term or half-term (at least three times a year). Use a CPR training manikin and the school’s training AED for hands-on drills. Each session only needs to last 15–30 minutes and can be slotted into briefings, INSET days, or twilight meetings.
Focus on the core steps:
Checking responsiveness and breathing
Calling for help and locating the AED
Performing chest compressions
Attaching and using the AED
Rotate the responsibility for running these drills so all trained staff have the chance to lead, not just passively observe.
DefibSpace Tip:
Always include new staff and routinely update your schedule at the start of each term. This guarantees no one misses out due to timetable changes or staff turnover.
Step 2. Integrate mini-skill checks into daily routines
What to do:
Use spontaneous five-minute drills—sometimes called “pulse checks”—once or twice per term. At the end of a staff briefing or when gathered before school, invite a volunteer to demonstrate key steps on a manikin. Have another act as the “caller” to fetch the AED and describe the process for dialling 999.
These micro-assessments keep skills fresh. They also reveal areas where confidence or technique has drifted, such as depth of compressions or pad placement.
DefibSpace Tip:
Prepare a set of scenario cards (an unresponsive adult by reception, a student collapsed in the playground) to randomise the checks. It helps prevent drill fatigue and mimics real-world unpredictability.
Step 3. Keep clear, accessible records of training and skill checks
What to do:
Maintain a simple spreadsheet or centralised record of all first aiders and staff attending refreshers and skills checks. Note the date, names, and whether any concerns were highlighted for follow-up.
This documentation is invaluable for showing Ofsted or HSE inspectors that you actively monitor competence rather than just attendance. It also helps you identify when additional refresher training is needed if a pattern of errors develops, or when a major protocol change is rolled out nationally.
DefibSpace Tip:
Use online calendar reminders or shared team notifications to trigger upcoming deadlines for training and skills monitoring. Automating this process avoids last-minute reminders and ensures accountability.
Step 4. Book a full professional refresher annually or sooner if standards slip
What to do:
Arrange formal, in-depth refresher courses at least every 12 months with a recognised training provider. The HSE and Resuscitation Council UK both recommend retraining once yearly for workplace first aiders and anyone with an AED role in a school.
Bring in experts to update staff on new protocols, address real incident “near misses” from your own setting, and rebuild confidence. A professional refresher also resets the expiry clock for your delegation of first aid duties and covers legal responsibility.
If your ongoing checks show signs of significant skill fade or anxiety—for example, several staff are unsure how to operate the AED, perform chest compressions, or recall the emergency protocol—add extra whole-group refreshers promptly.
DefibSpace Tip:
Where possible, use the annual refresher as part of a wider wellbeing or personal development day. This reinforces safety as a core professional value, not a bolt-on duty.
Step 5. Reflect on real incidents and debrief as a staff team
What to do:
Whenever a medical emergency occurs, even if first aid is not actually delivered, hold a supportive, no-blame debrief with all involved. Discuss what went well, any confusion or difficulties, and whether further practice is warranted.
Simulated emergencies (during a fire drill, for example) are also an opportunity for learning and building team confidence in emergency response routines. Use these reflections to shape subsequent training focus.
DefibSpace Tip:
Invite your local community first responder or NHS ambulance liaison to contribute to occasional debriefs. Their expertise adds insight and helps demystify the process for staff.
Step 6. Make refresher training visible and valued in school culture
What to do:
Recognise staff engagement in safety drills. Display up-to-date training certificates, celebrate successful “pulse checks,” and involve pupils in age-appropriate awareness campaigns such as Restart a Heart day.
This approach makes first aid practice routine, keeps skills front-of-mind, and fosters a proactive safety ethos across the whole school community.
DefibSpace Tip:
Share positive stories of staff who have made a difference (even in simulated drills) in newsletters or staff briefings. Real examples have a strong ripple effect.
What Most People Miss
A crucial detail many schools overlook is that effective CPR and AED readiness relies on repeated, hands-on experience, rather than just passing a test once. The difference between a staff member hesitating and a team moving confidently nearly always comes down to how often they practise, not just knowledge.
Another important point: people are far more likely to perform well under pressure if skill checks reflect typical school-day scenarios, such as the crowded lunch queue, the after-school club, or the playground at pick-up time. Practising in these core environments, rather than in a quiet hall, builds familiarity, speeds up response, and reduces panic.
Many schools also feel they must handle everything alone. In reality, community paramedic schemes, local ambulance services, and recognised first aid trainers are usually happy to support refresher drills or provide up-to-date resources. Working together can save both time and money.
The Bigger Picture
Regular AED and CPR refreshers embedded into your school’s routine have lasting benefits:
Improved emergency response: Staff are quicker, calmer, and more effective when every minute matters.
Regulatory confidence: Up-to-date, documented skills meet Ofsted expectations, bolster your safeguarding file, and ensure HSE compliance.
Better staff morale: Colleagues feel reassured knowing the team is prepared and capable. This supports a culture of mutual responsibility.
Community reassurance: Parents, carers, and visitors trust your commitment to safety, which helps your reputation and builds confidence.
Potential cost savings: Strong practical skills can sometimes prevent hospitalisation, reduce secondary injuries, and lower the risk of stress claims after traumatic events.
Resilience during staff turnover: With training embedded in everyday practice, new starters are quickly brought up to speed. This addresses common gaps in emergency provision.
Most importantly, developing a genuine habit of preparedness can save a life.
Wrap-Up
Routine, hands-on skills refreshers using regular drills, quick skill checks, and timely formal courses, are the most effective way to maintain your school’s AED and CPR standards. Valuable competencies can fade while waiting for certificates to expire. Build practical training into your school’s annual rhythm, keep records clear, and draw on available community expertise.
By following these practical steps, you will achieve more than compliance—you will deliver real-life safety readiness for every pupil, staff member, and visitor entrusted to your care.
For more straightforward safety advice, visit DefibSpace for free resources and guidance.
Jargon Buster
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
A sequence of chest compressions and rescue breaths delivered to maintain blood flow when a person’s heart has stopped or is not pumping normally.AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
A portable device that analyses heart rhythm and can deliver a shock to restart the heart in sudden cardiac arrest.First Aider
A trained person designated to provide immediate care in a medical emergency until professional help arrives.INSET Day
Staff development or training day in UK schools, where pupils do not attend.HSE (Health and Safety Executive)
The UK’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, including first aid training guidance.
Ofsted
Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills – the school inspectorate for England, with requirements for health and safety arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should school staff refresh CPR and AED skills?
Ideally, staff should practise CPR and AED use every term, with a full formal refresher at least every 12 months. This matches current advice from the Resuscitation Council UK and best practice from the HSE.
Does staff first aid certification remain valid even if they haven’t practised in months?
A certificate may not expire immediately, but practical skills and confidence can fade quickly. Regular drills are essential to maintain true readiness.
Are online video refreshers enough for CPR and AED practice?
No. Knowledge is only part of the skillset. Practical, hands-on work with a CPR manikin and training AED is proven to result in quicker, safer responses.
Can schools run their own short refreshers, or must every session be run by an external trainer?
Schools are encouraged to deliver their own short skill checks, led by experienced staff or first aid leads. External trainers should be used for full annual refreshers or major protocol changes.
What’s the legal risk of not keeping skills current?
If staff fail to provide appropriate emergency care due to faded skills, the school may be found in breach of statutory duty, face regulatory penalty, or action from civil claims. Maintaining regular training is essential for compliance and duty of care.
Who should attend regular AED/CPR refreshers?
Any first aider, teaching or support staff likely to be first on scene, SEND or medical support staff, and ideally all staff during annual full training.
Related Products and Resources
CPR Training Manikin – The essential tool for running effective, hands-on refresher sessions in your school.
DefibSpace School First Aid Audit Checklist – Ensure you meet Ofsted, HSE, and best-practice standards.
For a full suite of school-focused CPR and AED solutions, visit the DefibSpace training aids collection.
This article is for information purposes. Always check current national or local guidance and consult your school’s designated first aid lead when planning staff training.
