WHEN it comes to saving lives, you are never too young to learn.

And that’s exactly what pupils at Cottesmore St Mary’s Primary School in Hove have learned.

Instead of maths and English on the curriculum, these youngsters at the school in The Upper Drive spent time being taught life saving techniques.

Pupils from years four, five and six were given first aid training at the hands of the Connor Saunders Foundation.

The foundation was set up in memory of 19-year-old Connor, who died in 2012.

They visit schools around the region passing on help and guidance to future generations.

Acting headteacher Rachel Kershaw said: “We feel honoured to have received a defibrillator from the wonderful Connor Saunders Foundation.

“Our children were humbled to hear Connor’s story and the positive way in which the Saunders family have turned such awful tragedy into an opportunity to educate the hearts and minds of other young people.

“While we hope the defibrillator never comes out of it’s box, we feel so fortunate to now be a ‘heart safe’ school, and we would like to thank the Saunders family for their donation to our school and for the first aid workshops our children received.”

As for the kids themselves, they enjoyed learning these vital skills. The school did not want to give out the full names.

One said: “It was interesting to learn that a single punch can kill someone, it was also interesting to learn how to save someone’s life.”

“It was excellent, the family shared something so sad, and it was really brave to do that to help us learn that there are consequences to violence”

“It was important for us to learn how your actions can have a big effect of someone’s life.”

Another child said: “I learnt how to save somebody’s life if they are choking.”

Another schoolgirl said she felt her knew knowledge was something everyone should already be aware of.

“We all learnt how to put somebody in the recovery position which is something we all should know,” said the youngster.

The children were really chuffed with the donation.

One said: “We are all very thankful to Connor’s family for donating the defibrillator.”

Another said she was particularly pleased for different reasons. She can know help out - even when she’s no signal on her phone.

She said: “I know who to call when I don’t have signal on my mobile phone, in an emergency”.

The children learned how the defibrillator works but they were also taught how to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre and the correct way to put people in the recovery position.