Our assessors were very impressed with the high standard of Physical Activity, Emotional and PSHE/Citizenship education and Healthy Eating in the school ~ well done to the kitchen team, teachers, support staff, children and parents who’ve helped towards this impressive achievement.

We were awarded the Healthy School Award in July 2006 and continue to encourage the children to lead healthy lives.

Brocks Hill is a 4+ to 10+ school with 300 pupils in Oadby, Leicestershire. Almost half the children come from homes where English is not their first language. A large proportion of parents are in employment and most have a good educational background. The number of families claiming free school meals and the number of children with learning difficulties and disabilities are below the national average. The school began working towards the Healthy Schools award in November 2004 whilst an acting Headteacher was in place. The current Headteacher, Robin Marlin, joined the school in January 2005 and the school appointed a Deputy Head for January 2006, after a year without a deputy.

Aims and achievements

To motivate the school community to be more physically active by developing a ‘Walk to School’ culture, enhancing curricular PE and offering a wider range of after school clubs.

A team of parents and governors prepared a Travel Plan and worked alongside the LA Travel Plan team to introduce ‘Star Walkers’ reward scheme. As a result the number of cars  outside school in a morning has dropped by 24% and in the afternoon by 40%. Parents report changes in fitness levels and for themselves and their children, and also an increase in road safety skills.

We have introduced swimming and tennis lessons within the curriculum, and a small group of children have sensory integration lessons each morning, with parents reporting significant improvements. The range of after school clubs has increased, and includes ‘girls only’ sessions leading to fitter and more motivated children.

To develop emotional health and well-being through the introduction of R-Time and the SEAL programme; to enhance the Anti-Bullying culture within school; to develop the playground to facilitate safe and enjoyable play in a stimulating environment; to reduce teacher stress levels

R-Time is now taught throughout the school by a trained HLTA and children have

increasing confidence, politeness and the ability to express their feelings. Children recognise, through a new Behaviour Policy and through anti-bullying work that we are a school which does not accept bullying and feel safer as a result. New toys, an ‘Ugly Big Walk’ and a tyre trail have made the playground more fun and new fencing has made it safer. PPA time and the appointment of lunchtime managers has reduced the stress on teachers.

To encourage the children to make healthy food choices and to provide healthy food and water within school

Our Cook Supervisor has worked very hard to create and trial healthier options, running a Healthy School Dinners Week alongside a curriculum Healthy Eating Week, when children visited supermarkets, tasted different foods, made lunchbox choices and learnt how to make healthy choices. We have installed cooled water units for use by staff and children and run a Grow, Cook and Eat project growing organic fruit and vegetables.

To enhance PSHE and Citizenship teaching to support children alongside the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda; to increase the opportunities for children to have a voice

PSHE & Citizenship lessons are more stimulating, better resourced and follow a structured plan leading to more enjoyment and more successful learning for the children. Our new Creative Curriculum has enhanced this. The School Council has worked to gather children’s opinions on their ideal playground, which have informed developments and gained them a £1000 grant. The school website has been extended with pages created by pupils to inform and motivate the whole school community.

The Team

With SMT staffing changes the Chair of Governors, Chris Swan, has co-ordinated the Healthy Schools work. The Travel Plan team is made up of parents and governors. Subject co-ordinators, the school nurse, our Cook Supervisor and the Headteacher and our HLTA have played important roles.

Successes and Failures

The school has been through a time of significant changes. In calmer times it would have been possible to have increased parental input into the Healthy Schools work.

Our Healthy Schools work has had an impact on the whole school community, but in particular our children are now:

More likely to choose healthy food and to drink water more often

See physical exercise as a positive, fun activity and are more likely to choose to walk, to swim or to play sports

More confident; more able to express their feelings; more able to take action if they are feeling bullied; less likely to be bullied or to bully; more empowered

Enjoying school more, and have more fun at playtimes and in lessons

 

 

 

 

Brocks Hill Primary School Healthy Schools summary, June 06