Intent

At Hallam Primary School we provide a valuable role model to pupils and families with regard to food and healthy eating patterns whilst also encouraging children to make their own choices. Through effective leadership, consistency, the school ethos, and working with both parents and children, all school staff can bring together elements of the school day to create an environment which supports a healthy lifestyle. We aim to develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities necessary for mental, social, emotional and physical well-being in our children now and for their future. We aim to do this through a broad and balanced curriculum focusing on the development of the whole person. We have with the intent that our children will become, resilient, independent, well rounded learners that will have the building blocks to become successful, moral adults who live healthy lifestyles.

We will deliver a curriculum that:
 

• Encourages our children to be self-motivated, independent and resilient individuals who are able to make the best choices for themselves including how to live a healthy lifestyle and understand how to take care of themselves
• Promotes an equal value on their physical and mental well-being and ensures they are prepared for life in modern Britain.
• To ensure that we are giving a consistent messages about food and health throughout all areas of school
• Provides pupils with the information they need to make healthy choices
• Promotes health awareness
• Contributes to the healthy and physical development of all members of our school community
• Encourages children to eat a well-balanced, healthy diet
• Encourages children to take responsibility for their own health and to make good choices for themselves

Implementation

The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum 2014. Healthy Eating is threaded through the D&T, SMSC and PE curriculum as well as through the whole school ethos.

The teaching, learning and sequencing of the curriculum follows:

• There is a planned, spiral curriculum for healthy eating, cooking and nutrition in all year groups, in line with the National Curriculum.
• The healthy eating curriculum provides a range of opportunities for pupils to have a good understanding, appropriate to their age, of how to eat healthily and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Cooking and nutrition is included in the design and technology curriculum and is taught within the appropriate topics.
• Pupils are taught the necessary life skills to help them to live a healthy lifestyle through cooking and nutrition
• In order for teachers to plan engaging activities, up-to-date risk assessments are completed for all food related activities (such as tasting and cooking) which refer to pupil allergies, equipment and food safety. These are shared with all staff.
• Teachers demonstrate good levels of knowledge, confidence and expertise when teaching cooking, nutrition and health eating.
• Staff assess progression of skills and knowledge for food, nutrition and cooking e.g. using the National Curriculum
• Children are offered the opportunity to have share their voice e,g in school council meetings about food and nutrition within school
• School promotes national, local or in-school support and advice for food, nutrition or cooking, such as healthy packed lunches, the Eatwell Guide or Change4Life, via the school website, newsletters or on school notice boards.
• There is provision and support available for pupils or parents/carers in relation to dietary needs, allergies or weight management support.
• The school provides sensitive support for eligible families to claim their Free School Meal entitlement and actively promotes and encourages the take-up of school meals with pupils and parents/carers.
• All catering staff have received relevant, up-to-date training on the School Food Standards and Eatwell Guide. (DfE Healthy Schools Rating Scheme)
• The dining room environment and lunchtime structure are purposefully planned to significantly contribute to positive behaviour.
• There are clearly accessible water points, frequently placed around school, providing fresh, cooled drinking water. All pupils have their own bottles or can easily access cups if needed.
• The school has consistent and effective systems in place to encourage and promote drinking water throughout the day, including during lessons.
• Food at special events, occasions (including birthdays) and on themed days is in line with the whole school food policy, balanced and healthy choices are sometimes available.
• Fundraising events and PTFA, where food is involved, are in line with the whole school food policy, balanced and healthy choices are often available.

Impact

• If children eat better, they feel better, play better and work better.
• Healthier children are more confident and display good behaviour.
• The children will become independent, well-rounded individuals who are able to make their own healthy choices  
• Children leave the school with the confidence and skills to make decisions, self-evaluate, make connections and make healthy lifelong choices.