Achieving healthy lifestyles in the Primary School

Why this is leading practice

• The Brownhills Healthy Living Project was instigated in a cluster of six Primary schools in Brownhills in response to a joint commission from the PCT & Education Services to reduce obesity. With statistics showing an increase in childhood obesity and the physical and psychological problems associated with the schools set out to make a positive difference to the health and well-being of pupils in their care by creating a positive attitude for life with regard to healthy eating and exercise.
• The impact of the commission was evaluated by the University of Wolverhampton. The findings indicated that obesity reduced, fitness increased and attainment levels improved.
   

Impact to date

• University evaluation shows slight reduction in the percentage of overweight pupils in the six schools involved in the Healthy Living project (this percentage previously increasing), and a slight improvement in overall levels of fitness
• However, the evaluation found that pupils were significantly better informed about healthy living, more open to eating healthy food, and more receptive to learning in school
• The school’s own monitoring supports these findings, with a range of evidence demonstrating that many pupils are now eating more healthily and taking more exercise, not only in school, but also in their home lives
• There is much evidence to suggest a positive impact on the eating and exercise habits of a significant number of families
• The aspect is clearly seen by stakeholders to have made a significant contribution to a continual strengthening of a positive school culture which has seen a continuing improvement in pupil attainment and progress

Rationale / Start Point

• University evaluation shows slight reduction in the percentage of overweight pupils in the six schools involved in the Healthy Living project (this percentage previously increasing), and a slight improvement in overall levels of fitness
• However, the evaluation found that pupils were significantly better informed about healthy living, more open to eating healthy food, and more receptive to learning in school
• The school’s own monitoring supports these findings, with a range of evidence demonstrating that many pupils are now eating more healthily and taking more exercise, not only in school, but also in their home lives
• There is much evidence to suggest a positive impact on the eating and exercise habits of a significant number of families
• The aspect is clearly seen by stakeholders to have made a significant contribution to a continual strengthening of a positive school culture which has seen a continuing improvement in pupil attainment and progress

Key Strategies

• A range of support work with children and their families in implementing a healthy lifestyle, with particular regard to healthy eating and exercise.
• Development of the aspect across the curriculum, and specifically through PE, PSHE and food technology
• Wide range of extra-curricular activity focused on healthy diet and fitness, with high levels of contribution by teachers , and high levels of participation by pupils and families
• Provision for physical education more than meets the DCSF recommended ‘five hour offer’ – with an impressive three hours of timetabled PE and a wide range of additional physical exercise built into the curriculum
• Aspect clearly seen by stakeholders to have made a significant contribution to a continual strengthening of a positive school culture which has underpinned a continuing improvement in pupil attainment and progress, year on year
• Strong impact of school provision on children’s learning, with clear evidence of pupils’ healthier eating and take-up of physical activity – not only at school, but also at home.

Sustainability and Further Development

• The school is to continue to use the tests used by Wolverhampton University as part of the Healthy Living project, in order to monitor the impact of its work on pupils’ weight and fitness.
• The evaluation of the aspect is to include a longitudinal study, again carried out by Wolverhampton University, of the weight and fitness of current Year 6 pupils as they progress through Key Stage 3.
• Although the aspect is clearly reflected in the school’s teaching and learning and care and guidance policies, the school is keen to ensure that the leading nature of this aspect is further embedded in this documentation.