Pupils will be taught how to perform life-saving resuscitation techniques when paramedics visit the school of a teenager who died of an undiagnosed heart condition.

Youngsters at Derby's Landau Forte College will learn about cardiac arrests and how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, during the workshops tomorrow. 

The move comes after pupil Reece Jeffrey, 15, of Spondon, collapsed and died from a heart defect while playing football at Darley Playing Fields in March. 

Twelve young people a week in the UK die from undiagnosed cardiac problems and statistics show about one in 300 people has a potentially serious heart condition.  They often go undetected because they carry no symptoms. 

Since his death, Reece's family have been trying to raise awareness of the issue and collect money for national charity Cardiac Risk in the Young.  In July, they arranged for physiologists to come to Derby from London to carry out cardiac screening on more than 100 people at the Fox Street school. 

Now four paramedics and technicians from East Midlands Ambulance Service will visit the school to help 150 Year Nine pupils identify sudden collapses and begin cardiac arrest treatment if required. 

Reece's sister, Robyn, 22, who works at the school as a learning support co-ordinator said: "None of what the pupils will learn could have saved Reece but they could make a difference for someone else.  I think it's a fantastic idea because it highlights the importance of the issue, gives the students a bit more information and makes them aware of what to do." 

Among the teams visiting the schools will be community paramedic Gareth Mallon, who became interested in cardiac health after responding to a 999 call where a 20-year-old had suffered a suspected heart attack. 

Mr Mallon said: "The time with the students will be valuable.  Our key message is that, when it comes to collapses or cardiac arrest, they provide the first life-saving aid and we provide second aid, which greatly improves the chance of survival." 

John Carey, director of learning for student support at Landau Forte College, said: "This is an awareness day for our students with some hands-on experience and an integral part of their learning.