P056 A mixed-methods study of the SKCIN Sun Safe Schools International Programme 2012–23: promoting sun safety and empowering behavioural change in primary education

Abstract Sun protection education in schools is crucial to prevent skin cancer; however, there is a lack of UK-based published literature regarding this. In September 2020 sun safety education became mandatory in the English curriculum. The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer charity (SKCIN) developed and launched the online and openly available ‘Sun Safe Schools (SSS) education programme’ in 2012. The programme has four steps and is targeted at the English primary school curriculum. The narrative is not specific to England, and therefore schools have registered internationally. This mixed-methods study reported the regional distribution of primary schools registered for the SSS programme from 2012 to 2023. Ethical approval was granted by the local research ethics committee (ETH2425-0175). The free-text feedback provided by registered schools in England from 2017 onwards was analysed using NVivo. Feedback was categorized inductively to develop themes using a grounded theory approach until data saturation. During 2012–23, 3389 schools registered, reaching approximately 845 000 children. Of the 1825 (53.9%) primary schools that agreed to participate in the research, 1477 (80.1%), 161 (8.8%), 64 (3.5%), 9 (0.5%) and 114 (6.2%) were in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and outside the UK, respectively. Of 1477 English primary schools, the regional distribution was 508 (34.4%) in the Midlands, 200 (13.5%) North West, 192 (13.0%) Eastern, 175 (11.6%) South East, 145 (9.8%) South West,140 (9.5%) Yorkshire, 62 (4.2%) London and 55 (3.7%) North East. Four primary themes were identified from the feedback provided by 838 (45.9%) primary schools registered in England from 2017 to 2023. (i) Clear, accessible sun safe policy and resources: schools appreciated the practicality and adaptability of the resources provided to promote sun safety both in school settings and at home. (ii) Parent and student engagement: students actively engaged in activities, assembly discussions and lessons, enjoying elements like songs and quizzes. (iii) Adoption of sun safe behaviours: applying sunscreen, seeking shade and wearing bucket hats rather than baseball caps. (iv) Responsibility and empowerment: students took initiative to apply sunscreen in school more independently and shared their knowledge of sun safe behaviours with their parents. The causes of the recent trend of reducing incidence of melanoma in younger age groups in England are multifactorial. However, this can only be encouraging for the SKCIN SSS programme, which has been effectively promoting sun safety in primary schools for > 10 years, reaching almost 900 000 children. These findings emphasize its utility in engaging students in sun safe behaviours and raising awareness. Integrating a mandated sun safe policy in all schools and ensuring ongoing adherence would provide vital education to help reduce skin cancer.