The Provider:

Christ the King Catholic Primary School, Birmingham

Christ the King school is a Voluntary Aided Catholic Primary School with 353 pupils on role. There is a nursery with 26 full time equivalent places.

• FSM is currently over 40%, well above the national average
• A significant increase in the numbers of children on Special Needs register from 30% in 2002
• There has been a corresponding rise in the number of children on the Special Needs register
• There has been a corresponding rise in the number of pupils with a statement of SEN.
• Pupils come from surrounding local Kingstanding estate - a very poor area suffering from extreme social and economic deprivation
• A significant proportion of children come from homes where unhealthy lifestyles have been adopted including heavy smoking, drinking and poor diet
• Significant numbers of pupils are considered to be at risk, where families are under stress or involving social services
• Number of pupils with registered medical conditions is currently 30%, which reflects the poor health of the area and is a significant contributing factor to pupil absence (6.3%) being higher than the national average
• Crime is very high in the area and is often linked to drug and alcohol abuse. Additional police support has been put on the streets and there has been a significant number of ASBOs issued resulting in a lack of suitable safe play areas and sporting facilities for young children

Summary:

• Introduction of new initiatives to encourage the children to adopt a healthy lifestyle by what they eat and do during their lunchtimes.
• The kitchens now promote a healthy menu which has been well received by the pupils, the dinner supervisors actively work with the children to improve their table manners and eating habits including monitoring the food they bring to school in their lunch boxes. Children now no longer bring in sweets or confectionary and fruit is eaten more.
• The school continues to work to maintain the healthy school status by addressing the health issues we face on a daily basis.
• The school has employed play leaders to plan, organise and deliver a wide range of physical games and activities.
• New playground surface and markings provided
• The success of the scheme is reflected in the number of playleaders now employed by the school and the visitors coming to see the scheme operating.
• The enjoyment of lunchtimes has improved considerably for pupils
• The number of behaviour incidents has reduced dramatically.

The Aim:

The school is in the middle of the ward of Kingstanding which has serious health problems directly related to poor diet and low levels of physical activity.  With the increase in childhood obesity and heart disease, our school children need to be encouraged to participate in physical activity and healthy lifestyles including being careful about what they eat. There was insufficient opportunity for structured and supervised play in school for all age groups. Too many behaviour incidents disrupting lunch times and delaying the start of afternoon lessons.

What do you see in the school?

• Pupil forum
• Senior play leaders appointed delivering training and induction to new staff as well as leading play in curriculum time.
• School Improvement Planning focus for lunchtimes involving all stakeholders
• Evaluation of pupil participation and provision of lunchtime activitiesStrict rules on acceptable snacks (fruit only) and no sweets or chocolate at lunchtime
• Commitment to staff development and impact on pupils’ lunchtime.
• ‘Teaching and Learning’ responsibility role created for physical and pastrol curriculum including health
• Teacher governor to monitor provision of lunchtime activities
• Provision of structured physical activities at lunchtime on a rota system
• Playleaders teaching pupils new games
• Establish pupil ‘food forum’ for pupil feedback to the school cook
• Lunchtime incident book records analysis.

What difference does it make?

•  Increased pupil involvement and enjoyment 
• Regular effective consultation with pupils
• Better working relationships between lunchtime staff and pupils.
• Encourages pupils to continue with sporting activities after school
• Sharing good practice within the EAZ and local catholic partnership

From where is evidence collected to prove the Leading Aspect?

• Policy reviewed – links with PSHE, drugs education etc – broader picture
• Discussion with playleaders, parents, pupils – children clearly explained process if brought fizzy drinks to school
• CPD records - detailed
• Job description – clear purpose – set main duties and responsibilities – clear person specification
• Minutes of curriculum and full governing body meetings
• Responses from pupil and parent questionnaire (Actions in SIP respond to recommendations raised in pupil/parent)
• Pupil / Parent discussions – Rules for activities are developed on walls, play leaders receive training – actually play with children
• Pupil and cook discussions - Yr6 said how the children asked for a greater number of themed lunches.
• Meet Governor / looked at minutes.
• Surveys / discussions – HT’s response to surveys to parents / governors
• Behaviour incident book – very few incidents of bullying.
• pupil surveys and discussions with pupils
• School council
• Staff and teacher feedback
• Minutes of EAZ meetings.
• Pupil discussions – external coaches. Possible role models especially male.
• Records of pupil take-up of school activities.
• School records/analyses data from attendance on activities – recognition of fewer girls. – clear action on 15/16 action plan.
• Newsletter to parents celebrating visits from government agencies, press, members of EAZ schools
• RAIK minutes
• Course details for playleaders and discussion with playleaders.

The Verifiers Comment

• Pupils look forward to and enjoy their lunchtimes.
• There has been a significant reduction in the number of lunchtime behaviour incidents.
• Total commitment to funding lunchtime provision – employment and continued investment in playleaders, investment in play equipment and amendments to the school site.
• Children’s sense of pride, ownership and responsibility for the Zone Parc.
• School food forum actively seeks and responds to the views of pupils, enabling children to have a voice.
• Clear process of evaluation and improvement – always looking for ways to further enhance impact of the initiative.