North Somerset Healthy Schools Scheme at St Mark’s Primary.

Every year we participate in the North Somerset Healthy Schools Scheme.

Mrs Meril and Miss Hambleton are our Healthy Schools Co-ordinators.

The scheme is where schools evaluate how they are promoting and maintain the teaching and encouragement of our school community in leading a healthy lifestyle. This can include a wide range of the curriculum and extra-curricular activities, including:

PE lessons – keeping our bodies physically fit

DT – cookery sessions to promote a healthy balanced diet

Science – learning how our bodies develop

PSHE – learning to manage our emotions and relationships

RE – thinking of the world, ourselves and others, showing gratitude.

School trips – such as LifeSkills, Farm visits, sporting events, Forest School

Clubs – such as sports, cookery club, Mindfulness, Choir

Charity support – being aware of the wider community

As well as maintaining all these areas, the Healthy Schools scheme encourages each school to set up three new initiatives to accomplish during the academic year.  These need to have specific targets to meet, with measurable outcomes. In recent years our Healthy School journey has included;

*To decrease the number of Key Stage 2 pupils who show anxiety over coming to school.

*To increase the number of Year 3 children who help prepare and eat a healthy packed lunch.

*To increase the number of KS2 children participating in extra-curricular exercise, in & out of school.

*To increase the number of pupils participating in preparing and cooking healthy food.

*To reduce the number of children having difficulties with friendships by increasing children’s awareness of the school values. Hope, Honesty, Friendship, Forgiveness & Perseverance.

When setting our whole school initiatives, we need to think carefully and show evidence as to why we felt we needed to make improvements in these areas, the main things we did to bring about any changes and how we would sustain the improvements for future years.

At the end of each school year, the North Somerset Coordinator of the Healthy Schools Scheme, Shaun Cheesman, evaluates our evidence before presenting us with our award. St Mark’s Primary School are one of the few to have been awarded the Healthy Schools Plus Award for continued support of this scheme.

A quote from Shaun Cheesman, North Somerset Healthy Schools Co-ordinator.

“Andrea Davis from St Mark’s Primary School has always prioritised the physical and emotional health of the children in the school and is constantly seeking new ways to meet their needs. As well as supporting the health of all children, Andrea works tirelessly to ensure that those who are more vulnerable receive extra care and support, using a range of imaginative approaches. St Mark’s School has been an active and enthusiastic participant in the local Healthy Schools Programme for many years because it strongly believes that healthy, happy children are far more likely to reach their full potential. Andrea has been the driving force behind this.”

 Keeping Healthy 

Eating better (for children and families)

• Start the day with a healthy breakfast. It refuels the body and provides energy for the day.
• Let kids help plan and prepare 1 meal each week.
• Eat together as a family as often as possible.
• Take time eating, and chew slowly. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to tell the body that you are full.
• Eat more vegetables and fresh fruits. Aim for a total of 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables each day.
• Eat more whole grains. Examples include oats, brown rice, rye, and whole-wheat pasta. Try to eat at least 3 ounces of whole grains each day.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Choose water, low-fat or non fat milk, and low-calorie beverages.
• Serve a variety of foods in small portions.

Being more active (for children and families)

• Move more. Try to get between 30 and 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Short sessions of movement throughout the day add up.
• Include physical activity in your daily routine. Walk as a family before or after meals.
• Make playtime with your family fun. Be active by shooting hoops or playing tag.
• Be active in the home. For example, you can dust, vacuum, garden, or walk the dog. These activities are good ways to burn calories.
• Include activities, such as hiking or biking, when you go on vacation.
• Know your daily calorie needs. Balance calories you consume with calories you burn.
• Limit TV, computer, and video game time to less than 2 hours per day. Encourage physical activity instead.