KS4: Preventing and Treating Infection

Enable students to explore the challenges posed by infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the actions that can help safeguard public health. Students will consider the scientific evidence behind antibiotic use and vaccination, investigate how antibiotic resistance develops, and evaluate ways to reduce the spread of infection within communities.

Designed to be flexible and adaptable, these resources can be tailored to suit your class and delivered over one or more lessons.

For your lesson planning, we have created a curriculum mapping document showing how the resources align with the updated PSHE statutory programme of study and relevant schemes of work.

These resources have been co-developed with PSHE association and would work well as part of wider learning on healthy lifestyles and keeping well.

Scroll down to learn more and download the resources.

Picture of a young girl getting an injection from an health care professional

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Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

explain how to help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses
describe the risks of antibiotic resistance and how these can be reduced
explain the benefits of the vaccinations available during adulthood and how to access them

Background Information

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria evolve over time and no longer respond to medicines designed to treat them. Antibiotic resistance, one of the most significant forms of AMR, is a growing global health challenge that can make infections harder to treat and increase the risk of severe illness, prolonged hospital stays and death.

Reducing the risk of AMR requires a combination of responsible antibiotic use, preventing infections before they occur, and improving awareness of the scientific evidence that informs health decisions. Effective hygiene practices, infection prevention measures and vaccination programmes all help reduce the spread of infectious diseases and the need for antibiotic use. Vaccination remains an important tool throughout life, helping to protect individuals and communities from a range of preventable diseases.

This lesson will support students in understanding the scientific evidence behind antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance and vaccination, empowering them to make informed decisions that protect their own health and contribute to wider public health.

These resources have been developed to support delivery of the updated PSHE curriculum and help students understand the facts and scientific evidence relating to antibiotic use, antimicrobial resistance and vaccination.