Parkwood Academy, Sheffield

Summary of Healthy Schools Initiatives from April-June 2010

Healthy Schools Assembly for all students (split into four House Assemblies and one Y7 Assembly)

This was to introduce myself as Healthy Schools Coordinator and give an overview of my game plan. The assembly was not designed to lecture students on being healthy, but to heighten awareness of the main health problems they face as young people today, and how we can help to prevent many of these through a healthier academy.

At the end was an open invitation for interested students to join my Health Squad.

Formation of Health Squad

A selection process took place, based on contents of an application form, and 20 students from different year groups were chosen to be part of this working group. The idea is for the Health Squad to be involved in every stage of planning, advertising and execution of health-based initiatives, and also to be a Student Voice on concerns affecting our young people.

10,000 Step Challenge

A collaborative effort between the Health Squad and ITT students from Sheffield Hallam University. Students and staff participated in monitoring their daily step count for one week (using a free pedometer). All students completing their week-long step log were entered into a prize draw for Meadowhall vouchers. 150 staff and students took part.

Energy Drinks Ban

In response to several members of staff commenting on the amount of stimulating, caffeinated drinks (e.g. Red Bull), were being consumed in the academy, the Health Squad coordinated a total ban on such drinks.

This was done via letters to parents, visits to local shops, announcements in assemblies and tutor time, posters around the building and slot on student bulletin. The campaign has been successful to date.

The message is being reinforced during National Sports Week by a collaborative effort with students on placement from Sheffield University. There will be a series of games and competitions for the students to be involved in at break and lunch.

Brain Boost Bags

To decrease the proportion of students sitting exams on an empty stomach, the Catering Team were called upon to put together a small bag of breakfast: water, pure fruit juice, home-baked flapjack, piece of fruit. These were free for students and marketed as Brain Boost Bags.

Year 11 students were informed of the initiative in an assembly prior to the start of their GCSEs, explaining why breakfast is so vital for performance.

National Vegetarian Week

Health Squad students stayed after school to cook nut loaves and prepare a variety of salads. These were sold at lunchtime the next day, to students and staff, to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Forthcoming Activities

  • Packed lunch awareness campaign to improve nutritional content of lunches brought from home
  • Pedal-powered smoothies: students select fruit they want, pedal it smooth then drink it down - for free!
  • Summer Fayre stall: Health Squad raising awareness of their group, and serving chilled fruit slices

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