HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOLS

Lochardil Primary School

Head Teacher: Euan Mackie Telephone: 01463 230250 Email: euan.mackie@highland.gov.uk

Criteria	Evidence
1: Clear Statement of Health Promoting Aims of the School	Health promoting statement embedded in the school aims Lochardil Primary School aims demonstrate a firm commitment to health promotion and the development of an inclusive learning environment for all pupils and staff. All the aims emphasise the health promoting schools’ ethos which Lochardil has firmly embedded in all aspects of the school. Documentation presented as evidence in the comprehensive portfolio conveys a sense of commitment to all aspects of health, education and the well-being of the whole school community. The school handbook demonstrates a range of policies and procedures including specific reference to’ healthy eating and hygiene’. All policy information is fully accessible on the school website with a specific link to ‘Health Promotion Aims’.
2: Development of Good Relations within School & Active Promotion of Self-Esteem of Whole School Community	· An effective pupil council Lochardil Primary School has an enthusiastic and articulate pupil council; the pupil council members present on the HPS visit were able to highlight both individual and whole school learning outcomes. The pupil council, who are democratically elected, had been instrumental in the HPS accreditation and had taken many photos to present their thoughts on HPS. The pupil council have also been successfully involved in environmental issues, fund raising and school nutrition. Specific strategies promoted and monitored in Ethos and Learning and Teaching policies and guidelines. Specific strategies are used to ensure learning and teaching methods meet the needs of all pupils. The teaching staff and their encouraging approach cater impressively for the wide ranges of age and ability. Achievement rewards systems which recognise diverse forms of achievement and are valued by recipients. Lochardil Primary School has a very good range of certificates, stickers and awards for writing, homework, attendance and excellence. The school has a number of displays to encourage pupils to celebrate achievements including star writers and ‘helping hands board’, where pupils can be nominated for any good deed. Supportive programmes for individuals and /or groups with particular needs. Support is also provided for pupils during both transition stages; nursery pupils are very much integrated with the primary school with weekly inclusion in primary classes. Target setting and planning is also used for each pupil and appropriate targets are set to promote self-esteem and confidence. A support for learning base is provided and is bright, attractive and well resourced.
3: Development of Good Relations with Home & Community	Effective parental consultation arrangements and communication The Lochardil Primary Parent’s Forum has a informal structure that covers all aspects of school life. A strong feature of the forum has been fundraising; the school supports local, national and global charities. All parents are consulted on a wide range of health issues including nutrition, policies and the formal curriculum. Parents are encouraged to participate in all school events. The Art Show at Christmas was very successful and the ‘whoops a daisy’ angel designed by a P2/3 pupil became the very popular school Christmas card. Lochardil Primary School ensures regular communication with parents and carers with regular newsletters, letters, website and verbal communication. The ethos of the communication is two-way and parents stated that there was very much an ‘open door policy’ and felt that communication was excellent with all school staff. Pupil reports are sent home annually and are followed with an opportunity for consultation.
4: Provision of a Wide Range of Stimulating Challenges for All Pupils	Physical and mental challenge in the curriculum Stimulating challenges are provided to pupils by a range of diverse opportunities which have been sought and maximised by the school staff. These include activities such as Safe Highlanders, Inverness Music Festival, Lochardil School Fun Run, Scripture Union, Cycling Proficiency, cross-country, swimming, choir, art, chess, IT, badminton, Maths Challenge, hockey and basketball. Pupils were observed to be very involved in their class-work and engaged well with peers and the class teacher. Pupils were also very active in the outdoor play area. The IT suite and library is well organised and provides a good environment to meet for lunch time activities. The Active Schools Co-ordinator is planning to increase the number of after school activities and is engaging with parents to support and train volunteers. The innovative’ Local Motion’ scheme has been on offer at the school with a number of activities provided.
5: Use of Every Opportunity to Improve the Physical Environment of the School	Provision to enable equal access and opportunity for pupils with special needs and disabilities. Provision of a safe, attractive environment including staff and pupils social areas with facilities. Lochardil Primary School is accessible to all pupils and will need minor modifications to be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act. All drinking fountains have been replaced and relocated. Lochardil does have a school travel plan to ensure safe routes to school and raise concerns. Lochardil Primary School does have challenges and limitations due to the nature of the playground and parking areas. The playground asphalt area is currently uneven with a loose surface and requires re-surfacing. It has been highlighted as a health & safety issue by the Head teacher who has reported this to the local authority. It will also be a recommendation of this report. The outside areas behind the school have been developed to provide an attractive and imaginative play ground for the pupils. The pupils are particularly proud of their tree planting with Grounds For Learning, even giving all the trees names! Inside the building all space is highly decorated with pupils work and displays providing a vibrant environment for the pupils and staff.
6: Partnership Planning and Delivery of a Coherent Health Promotion Strategy	Developmental groups include pupils, parents and partner professionals Lochardil Primary School has a supportive parent’s forum and an articulate formal pupil council. The school also has well-developed links with partner professionals including health, voluntary and statutory professionals.
7: Systematic Arrangements for Assessment that Involve Pupils Reviewing their Health Education Needs & Their Levels of Understanding	Health review built-in to regular guidance/PSE interviews The school nurse and dental nurse have carried out health checks with P1 and P7 pupils. Each pupil has a book file, pupil profile and report culminating in an exciting approach to self assessment and target setting. Parents receive feedback through school reports and profiles and verbally through parents’ evenings and informal verbal communication.
8: Active Promotion of the Health and Well-Being of School Staff	Health and safety policy and practice meet required standards. Lochardil Primary School Health and Safety policy meets all required standards. All H & S enquiries are followed up with the relevant local authority representative and any feedback is distributed to all staff. Regular health promoting activities made available Lochardil Primary School does have a Social Events Organiser who has been active in developing an opportunity for staff to access a Fitness First initiative. The staff room has a comfortable feel and information resources are available for such as training opportunities and timetables etc. All staff are provided with a locker and a pigeonhole.
9: Staff Awareness of Their Professional Roles in Health Related Issues	School QA procedures demonstrate high levels of expertise and awareness Staff are aware of their role and appropriate training has been sourced to enable them to fulfil this in relation to health issues and to monitor progress. This has included local and regional training. The school have also undertaken the HGIOS HPS evaluation tool. Lochardil Primary School uses ICT effectively, communicating through email and the school website. The staff room contains the ‘Policy of the Month’ in a prominent place on the notice board; this feature is also practised by the Nursery staff.
10: School Nutrition Reflects & Supports the HPS Ethos	School Nutrition Action Group effects positive change Lochardil Primary School does not have a separate active SNAG. However, the school board, PTA and pupil council demonstrate successful how a whole school approach to nutrition has been adopted. School catering promotes healthy eating/drinking; tuck-shop promotes healthy eating/drinking The new menus provided through the Hungry for Success initiative have been sent home in an accessible format. In addition to the set menu, home made soup and sandwiches are available every day. The high standard of catering and the staff’s positive relationships with pupils was highlighted by pupils, staff and parents. The staff and School Cook actively encourage pupils to eat healthily. It was evident that the relationship between the HC School Catering Service staff and the senior management team is very positive. This has been invaluable in the development of the school’s approach to health promoting and school nutrition throughout the school day. The pupils enjoy fruit, toast, milk and water at ‘fruit break’. There is no wastage and parents acknowledged the positive impact of the initiative. (Please see ‘Best Practice Section’).