Fetlar Primary School Health and Wellbeing Policy

Fetlar Primary School Health and Wellbeing Policy

Health and wellbeing outcomes in the Curriculum for Excellence, take a holistic approach to the promotion of the health and wellbeing of all children and young people, covering Mental, Emotional, Physical and Social Health. The outcomes are in line with the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 which ensures all schools are health promoting.

They are also in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to have access to appropriate health services and to have their health and wellbeing promoted. Fetlar Primary intends to become a Rights Respecting School in 2013-14.

Fetlar Primary’s Health and Wellbeing policy recognises that good health and wellbeing is critical for effective learning and preparing our children for becoming independent adults. To enable us to do so, we work with others to plan appropriate programmes which meet the needs of children living in a small community on a remote island. We encourage our children to participate in regular exercise and promote healthy eating. We take every opportunity available to make links to Health and Wellbeing across all curricular areas and activities.

Children should feel happy, safe, respected and included in school. We have robust policies which safeguard safety and wellbeing. Fetlar Primary staff are proactive in promoting positive behaviour within the school and wider community.

Health and wellbeing practices ensure children develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed for mental, emotional, physical and social health required to become successful adults.

Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes empower children to:

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• make informed decisions in order to improve their mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing
• experience challenge and enjoyment
• experience positive aspects of healthy living and activity for themselves
• apply their mental, emotional, social and physical skills to pursue a healthy lifestyle
• make a successful move to the next stage of education or work
• establish a pattern of health and wellbeing which will be sustained into adult life, and which will help to promote the health and wellbeing of the next generation of Scottish children.

-Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes for Health and Wellbeing

Mental and Emotional Health

Children should be encouraged to be aware of and express their feelings, and to be aware of and respect those of others. They should also be encouraged to build positive relationships through sharing, caring, fairness and equality. Children should know who to approach for support, and be encouraged to offer support themselves in challenging times. These issues are addressed during circle time activities.

Physical Health

Fetlar Primary children are encouraged to keep themselves physically healthy through participation in exercise, appropriate sleep patterns and healthy eating. The school uses an online PE programme to promote exercise during periods of inclement weather. They also have a regular PE session with their peers when attending Baltasound Junior High School (BJHS) and participate in a yearly residential with pupils from other remote islands.

Social Health

Living on a remote island precludes our children from having everyday social interaction with their peers. It is important therefore that they are given a range of opportunities to meet with their peers and build relationships. These opportunities should include:

• weekly visits to BJHS to participate in the life of a larger school and to work in class with their peers
• residential trips to meet children from other outer island schools
• biannual residential trips to Edinburgh with other North Isles schools
• video conferencing/ Skype calls/Glow meetings with children from other outer island schools to build relationships
• Voar Redd Up – promoting social interaction and responsibility

Conclusion

All staff in Fetlar Primary fully support the outcomes of the Health & Wellbeing objectives and its implementation in all school activities, whether the focus be mental and emotional, physical health or social.

February 2013Review date February 2015