‘Enhanced’ healthy schools celebrate

“With the help of our Public Health Team, the schools have embarked on a very impressive array of workshops, discussions and all kinds of other activities.

“These will make a real difference to attitudes and awareness - to help build a cohesive community here in Southend, to increase levels of physical activity and improve many other themes.

“Congratulations to them all for helping to make such a significant impact in developing the health and wellbeing of pupils across the borough.”

11 schools awarded Enhanced Healthy School status (Equality and Diversity school champion unless stated):

Thorpedene Primary School
St Nicholas School
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School
Chalkwell Hall Junior School
Prince Avenue Academy
Fairways Primary School
Richmond Avenue Primary School
Shoeburyness High School
West Leigh Junior School- Achieved the award for work on Healthy Tuckshops and developing activities at lunchtime
Temple Sutton Primary School
Bournemouth Park Primary School

Southend YMCA Community School were also recognised as an Equality and Diversity School Champion, but as they are not yet a ‘Healthy School’ they cannot gain Enhanced Healthy School Status yet.

Background to some of the projects undertaken

Projects explored many aspects of equality and diversity - for example learning about different faiths, or working closely with organisation ‘Show Racism The Red Card’. Several of the presenters talked about how their school had tackled bullying and homophobia by getting pupils to think about the impact such behaviour can have.

horpedene Primary school’s project focused on body image and confidence. The pupils explained: "We found from our surveys that some children had been teased for the way they look. We were shocked that 26% of 14 year olds said they would consider surgery. This rose to 42% amongst students who were overweight. Our teacher held an assembly to talk to us about body image. She did it wearing a Spider-Man onesie."

Even the youngest children get involved in learning about diversity. At Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary school, year one pupils are encouraged to 'climb into stories' to better understand other faiths: "We need to become the people" explained one five year old solemnly, "so we know what it's like to live their stories.”

As well as their wide-ranging equality and diversity programme, which included producing a song about bullying, and learning about disability, YMCA Free School students ventured into the community to learn about people's lives. They visited care homes to talk with older people and helped out at Belle Vue Foodbank. After their experience there, students decided to undertake a fundraising campaign to help ensure the foodbank is stocked for Christmas.

The finale to the uplifting event was a rousing Bollywood dance by pupils from Shoeburyness High School.

To find out more about the Healthy School and Enhanced Healthy Schools scheme, contact Lisa Holloway Healthy Schools Adviser, 01702 212820, LisaHolloway@Southend.gov.uk