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
Ark Byron Primary Academy is committed to healthy eating and all pupils have a hot school lunch which is prepared onsite every day by our in-house chef and her team. Our chef has devised some delicious menus. All meals are low in sugar, fat and salt and are rotated on a three weekly basis.
Pupils learn table manners, how to hold cutlery properly, how to lay a table and have opportunity to experience discussion and dialogue over dinner with support from staff. We place great importance on all our pupils learning these important social skills and therefore this is a part of the school day which is planned for and shared with teachers and other adults.
We also run a breakfast club where children can get involved in a range of activities and receive a nutritionally balanced meal.
Bridget Walker
Bridget joined Ark Byron in 2019 and as the chef she has been able to combine her passion for cooking with her love for working with children. Bridget feels privileged to be in a unique position to create a positive, memorable impact on children through food.
Mental health
We promote positive mental health for every student and member of staff, and have both a universal whole-school approach to mental health, together with specialised, targeted approaches for vulnerable students.
We have two members of staff trained as Mental Health First Aiders and our SENCo is the Senior Mental Health Lead. In addition, two of our support staff are trained and supported by Ealing Educational Psychology Service as ELSAs and provide targeted, small-group support for pupils in school. We also employ a school-based Integrative Child Psychotherapist who works with pupils on a 1:1 and small group basis by referral from the school SENCo. Pupils can also self-refer via The Space boxes in each class. A parent advisory service is also available and appointments can be requested via info@arkbyron.org.
Physical activity
SCHOOL TO EDIT
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.