We teach students about the importance and benefits of healthy habits as part of our Personal, Social, Health and Economic syllabus, and promote physical activity, a balanced diet and self-care activities throughout the curriculum and school life.
Healthy eating
All children having a school meal eat in the school hall at round tables. We run Family Dining, where children lay their lunch places and serve out water, bread and salad to accompany their meal. Good manners, politeness and social skills are promoted and modelled daily.
Water
All children receive a new water bottle at the start of each school year and are encouraged to drink water throughout the day to prevent dehydration, tiredness and to ensure they are ready to learn.
Fruit and snacks
All children in Nursery, Reception and KS1 receive a free piece of fruit or healthy snack each day.
Chocolate bars, sweets, junk food and fizzy drinks are not permitted at any time.
Mental health
We have a dedicated Pastoral Team who work in the Haven and Beacon rooms. They are on hand to support the children with social, emotional, mental health, behaviour and well-being needs. They also work very closely with parents and carers and offer various courses and advice for parenting.
The Pastoral Team work with children in class as well as running interventions for individuals or small groups to help children with a variety of needs including managing their feelings, developing their social skills, forming friendships or helping them deal with loss, bereavement and worries.
The Pastoral Team are on the playground every morning and can also be contacted via the school office.
Place2Be
Place2Be, our in-school mental health support service has a variety of ways to help parents support their children's wellbeing. The Parenting Smart website offers practical advice on a range of topics including sibling rivalry, sleep difficulties and behaviour challenges:
https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk
There is a new section for parents who are wondering if their child might be neurodivergent, with some strategies to try:
https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/article/my-child-might-be-neurodivergent
Our Place2Be counsellor, Miranda Tabraham, is in school twice a week. If parents would like support with their child's mental health or issues such as loss or bereavement, she can be contacted via the school office on 02392 824828 or info@arkayrtonprimary.org
Physical activity
The aim of the fitness programme is to ensure that pupils receive regular exercise activity. Lessons are designed to raise the heart rate and improve overall fitness, stamina and flexibility. Units across the year and across the school develop the following:
- Flexibility exercise. Children become more agile when they are able to stretch and move their bodies in a full range of motion. Encouraging children to begin stretching in childhood can help them maintain limber physiques throughout life.
- Strength and stamina. Strength exercises can help children build healthy muscles. With an appropriately organised programme, children can advance their strength and stamina. Due to the age of pupils and risk of injury during growth spurts no weights will be used during strength classes; most workouts will focus on non-resistance training and developing stamina.
- Aerobic exercise. Cardiovascular training is an important component of children’s fitness, keeping their heart and lungs strong.
- Circuit training. Children can apply their strength and stamina, and develop greater levels of fitness through circuit training. Circuit training combines aerobic exercise, strength, stamina and flexibility.