Teachers can order library resources in advance of planned lessons and have them delivered to their nearest PCT Health Centre for collection and return.

Can't find what you want?

If they don't have the resource you want then let the library staff know...they will do their best to get it.

You can always check out our member reviews section for more ideas or even better, tell us what you think of resources that you have used.

Browse library catalogue online >>

Research confirms that teachers are best placed to deliver effective drug education in school. A carefully planned, developmental drugs education programme should be embedded within PSHE, Science and across the curriculum, and the content based on the pupils' needs and experiences.

Visitors can support schools' drug education work, bringing variety and focus. It is vital that any visitors complement your school's drug education plan and are not seen as a substitute for school led activities or a sole source of input. For example, if you have DARE in Year 6, you need to think what you are doing for reception to Year 5 to ensure that effective developmental drug education is in place.

It is important that visitors are not at odds with the teaching methods and philosophy adopted by the school.

If you are choosing visitors to support pupils with special educational needs then it is doubly important to meet with the visitors and plan the sessions together; as the teacher you will know what will be appropriate for your pupils. Make sure that the resources and methods used allow all pupils to be included and that the visiting contributors have all the information they need to help them plan. It is worth checking that the visitors have had appropriate experience in working with special needs and that their contributions are adapted in an understanding of what will be effective with your pupils. If the visitors are adapting mainstream-designed sessions, be sure that this can be done and that the aims of sessions are clear and can be achieved. It is advisable to evaluate the session afterwards and give honest feedback to the contributor - this will help them plan for next time. Most contributors should be happy to work proactively with you to meet the individual needs of your pupils.

Here are a few simple tips to make sure that you get the best from your visitors...

• Ask for a CV
• Find out where they have worked before and, if you are unfamiliar with their work, phone a colleague and ask them how it was for them
• Check the experience or qualifications of persons involved. (Remember their publicity will have been written by themselves!)
• Get comprehensive written documentation of the content, aims and objectives of programmes offered
• Ask for a statement of philosophy or teaching approaches and preferably information about curriculum links
• Check if they have been evaluated by Nottingham City / Nottinghamshire Education Department (ref: 0115 9476202) or another reputable external source
• Ask if they have a video or DVD of them at work or if you can watch them work at another school

And once you have decided on your visitors check....

• Do they offer differentiated activities so that they can be responsive to differing needs?
• Do they offer sustainable workshops year on year which offer appropriate and different activities?
• Keep a record of which children do what (so they don't end up doing the same thing again next year - the pupils will remember it, they always do!)
• Timing - aim to book the activity so it is placed meaningfully within the spiral curriculum
• Think ahead to next year and beyond
• EVALUATE the visit, check it meets expectations

You may wish to use the DfES checklist to audit the quality of your visitors..>>

You may wish to download our list of external providers..>>

Tell us about providers...>>

• Linden House online
• Post / read reviews
• Nelson Thornes HFL
• Portman Group (alc)
• Tacade
• Contact drug advisor