Health Education Policy

Rationale
At Ballymena Primary School we are acutely aware of our role in helping pupils to develop a healthy lifestyle.
We see Health Education as being not only limited to classroom activities, but something which should be reinforced in all aspects of school life.
Staff, Board of Governors and relevant agencies work together to promote the health of everyone in the school community.
We recognise the importance of building good relationships, sharing and accepting responsibility, building self-esteem and reducing stress for pupils and staff.

Aims
At Ballymena Primary School we aim to:

• create an environment, which promotes the health and well-being of all staff and pupils.
• deliver Health Education within the curriculum in a way that is meaningful and which complies with statutory requirements.
• ensure that all aspects of school life promote positive health messages.
• encourage the active involvement of parents, community and health service agencies to advise, support and contribute to the promotion of good health.
• deliver Health Education as a cross-curricular issue and take every opportunity to address the issue as an integral part of teaching.

Overview
Health Education includes planned and incidental learning opportunities, which can be used to develop behaviour that is conducive to good health.
We strive to equip our children with the skills and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions and responsible choices in matters relating to their health and well-being.
We believe that Health Education must address both physical and mental health.
There are a number of dimensions to Health Education :-

Personal Development
The children should understand the stages involved and the factors which govern physical and emotional health.
Aspects of this strand are clearly identified and addressed in the following:

• Science programme
• RSE
• English: Talking and Listening
• Circle Time

Physical Fitness, Recreation and Relaxation
Pupils should achieve and maintain an appropriate level of fitness. They should understand the role of recreation and the value of relaxation.
This strand is delivered primarily within the P.E. Programme and through the varied programme of After-school Clubs which includes different sports, hobbies and topics of special interest.
Pupils are encouraged to practise personal hygiene in relation to physical activities and to acknowledge relevant rules and safety procedures.

Nutrition
Pupils should be given the information and skills to enable them to make responsible decisions about their diet.
They should know and understand the contribution of food to growth and health.
Children will:

• learn about a healthy diet.
• explore relationships between diet and dental health.
• develop an understanding of and practise the safe handling of food.
• be encouraged to bring a healthy snack for break-time. They are encouraged to eat a plain biscuit and/or a piece of fruit.
• be encouraged to eat a balanced lunch, containing fruit or vegetables.

Much of this area is delivered through the Science programme.

Drugs and Harmful Substances
Pupils should develop their knowledge and understanding of the use, misuse, risks and effects of drugs and other potentially harmful substances.
These issues are dealt with as part of the Science programme. Ballymena Primary School’s Drugs Policy sets out clearly the school’s approach to drugs and drugs education.

Relationships within the Family
Through sensitive discussion and study, children should recognise the importance of the family unit and the part each member can play.
They will consider the roles and responsibilities of family members. This will be dealt with more extensively in the RSE Policy and Programme.

Relationship with Peers
Children will be given the opportunities to explore friendships, peer pressure and the influence of peer groups. They will be encouraged to develop and practise a sense of fair play, tolerance, sharing and co-operation.
(See RSE Policy and Programmes)

Relationships with Others
Children will come to understand the nature of relationships with others and through recognition of the school ethos and commitment to the Code of Conduct will begin to establish responsible relationships within a widening community.
As well as becoming more confident in communicating with adults and handling social relationships, children will be made given strategies to protect themselves in potentially dangerous situations.
(See RSE, Child Protection, Drugs. Anti-bullying Policies)

Personal Safety in the Environment
Children should be able to cope safely and efficiently with their environment.
This involves helping children to:
develop an understanding of, and practise principles of Road Safety.
be aware of the importance of a responsible approach to safety in the home and school environment.
accept responsibility for the safety of themselves and others.
acquire a knowledge of and competence in elementary first aid
gain confidence and skills in water.
(See Road Safety and PE Policies, Heartstart training – emergency life support)

A Healthy Environment
Children will consider the environmental factors which affect health.
They will have the opportunity to explore how the use of some natural resources can have a harmful effect on the environment.
They will come to understand how improvements can be made in their own locality to maintain healthy surroundings and will be aware of the part that they can play in this.

Roles and Responsibilities

Staff
All staff will actively support, contribute to and be involved in the promotion of good health.
All staff will participate in staff development as and when
necessary.

Parents
Parents are asked to support the school in the promotion of good health; particularly in encouraging children to participate in sports and after-school activities and in the provision of healthy snacks and lunches.

Governors
The Governors will monitor the implementation of this policy and
evaluate and review regularly.

Advice, information and guidance from the following agencies is used in the forming of this policy and the delivery of Health Education.

• NEELB
• Health Promotion Agency
• Homefirst

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