Healthy Schools

The Wavell is pleased to announce that it has recently been awarded Healthy Schools status (see here and see Mrs Woodham's Powerpoint presentation here). The 4 main themes of the scheme are:

1. THE PSHE PROGRAMME

We have revised the PSHE programme to bring some kudos to the subject of health and wellbeing, by bringing in more outside speakers on subjects such as Drug and Sex education, Homelessness and focusing on Healthy Eating and exercise. The lessons are now taught through multimedia, role-play and games. Citizenship and the students role in the community is a much higher focus, as is the role of the Student Council, who now have representatives in the local North Camp Matters group and the Mayors Student Council.  We have set up a Parents evening on Drugs education with the assistance of the local police.

- CITIZENSHIP

The school involves itself in charity events throughout the year including, raising over 200 Christmas present boxes for Samaritan's Purse and raising over £500 for The Great Ormond Street Hospital through auctioning off cakes and a student charity concert attended by over 200 students and parents.

We have a peer-mentoring programme set up with the help of Connexions for different year groups to support each other. Students help run the major events in the school such as Prize Giving Evening where students present the prizes to their peers in front of governors, staff and parents as well as Induction Day and primary liaison visits. We have developed a post of International teacher and developed training for staff with regards to our multicultural intake of students Rock Challenge is a major force in pulling together students from all year groups and different peer groups to support each other and work together for a common goal.

- ENVIRONMENT

Safety is taught within the PSHE programme with a particular focus in year 7 on Road Safety, Stranger Danger, Internet and phone (texting) safety.

We have a strong recycling policy which involves the recycling of all out printer ink cartridges, as well as all paper used in the classrooms (we have separate recycling bins).

We have gained the bronze award from ECO Schools for our efforts.

Environmental issues are covered in a wide range of the curriculum including Science, Geography, RE and Design Technology.

2. EMOTIONAL HEALTH

This area is also covered in the PSHE programme, with specific lessons on Mental Health, Work/play ratio and managing stress. Anti bullying techniques are discussed in lessons with the aid of Connexions and Kidscape DVDs. We have a strong Pastoral Support Team at the Wavell, with each year having a Director of Students.

The Connexions advisors have a permanent office at the Wavell for the students to visit either by self-referral or through referral by the Director of Students. In addition we have 2 councilors who visit us 2 days a week.

The bullying Policy has been revised this year after an extensive survey of the students, evaluation from the school council and feedback by the Deputy Head teacher in assemblies. Discrimination is tackled within the curriculum in RE and PSHE with lessons on gender and race. RRR (Rights, Respect and Responsibility) are intrinsic to the school's ethos and curriculum using the five points of 'Every Child Matters' as its benchmark.

3. HEALTHY EATING

The school council was intrinsically part of the interview process and ultimately the change of the canteen to its current owners HC3S. The food has vastly improved its choices and these are fundamentally healthy options. There are no fizzy drinks available and chips are served once a month only. The vending machines have been removed and a cold-water dispenser installed in the hall and in 2 staff areas.

The staff are actively encouraged to promote healthy eating by example. And are looked after as well by having ‘Fruity Fridays’, where the school provides a basket of fresh fruit direct from the local green grocers.

Healthy Eating is promoted through the PSHE programme in lessons as well as through The Food Technology department which has set up; the Junk food Roadshow, introducing year 7s to cooking healthy snacks and showing them what is actually in their burgers and fish and chip suppers. Healthy eating within its schemes of work teaches all years how to eat a more balanced diet, eat less salt and processed food and be aware of preservatives and additives.

Menu

4. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Within the Healthy living lessons in PSHE, the importance of exercise and fitness is reinforced. The students are encouraged to cycle to school and through the School Travel Plan the bike storage area has been relocated and made more secure.

The SSCo have a permanent office at our partner school Samuel Cody and have set up a comprehensive after school activity schedule, which includes badminton, a professional tennis coach, boys and girls football clubs, as well as science, model Formula One car and flying club (within Design Technology).

The staff play an active role in exercise by playing sport on a Friday after school. Staff have free access to the onsite gym facilities. Staff social events are held termly. Governors donate money for a staff Christmas event once a year.