Health Education Policy

Health Education Policy

HEALTH EDUCATION POLICY Our Health Education programme is concerned with the total well-being of each child. We seek to encourage children to behave in ways which will promote physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Aims We aim to:  Provide accurate information about health  Build on and clarify the children's own perceptions, attitudes and values which influence their health choices both in school and in the community  Provide opportunities for the children to learn and develop their social skills  Assist the children in a growing awareness of themselves and so develop the positive values and attitudes which promote self-confidence and self-esteem.

Objectives Children need to be aware of the value of a healthy lifestyle to include:                 

Regular exercise A healthy diet The use and misuse of drugs Keeping safe - physical and emotional safety The need for adequate sleep Relaxation and leisure activities Personal hygiene Coping with emotions Decision making (to include right from wrong) Taking responsibility for their own actions Friendships The role of the family The role of the community Trying always to do their best Respect for living things Sex education (see separate policy) Sun safety ( see separate policy)

Health Education is not a specified subject in the National Curriculum, although many health related activities are included in the National Curriculum Science, Technology and PE Documents. The Dorset County Guidelines No:3 'Health Education' (DCC 1991), identify Health Education topic areas which children need to cover by the end of each key stage.

The topic areas are:           

Human Anatomy and Physiology Personal Development Relationships Sex Education Drug Use and Misuse Healthy Eating Health Related Fitness Safety Community Environmental Aspects of Health Education Protection of Children from Abuse

The Dorset Agreed syllabus for RE Handbook focuses on the spiritual and moral dimensions of learning.

Within our school, planning for Health Education has taken account of the above documents and also the book 'Health for Life 1' (published by Nelson 1999) and Health for Life 2 (Healthy lives, healthy citizens) 'Health for Life' acknowledges the cross-curricular nature of Heath Education and forms the basis of our school policy to include: That we are a Health Promoting School. Health Education is the shared responsibility of the school, governors, parents and community. In supporting and promoting attitudes, practices and understanding conducive to good health, there are three contributory factors:  The ethos of the school  The taught curriculum  The family, community and environment

We foster positive healthy attitudes by giving children the chance for active involvement in:            

Our healthy week Circle time Collective worship Games Role play and drama Class and group work Problem solving activities Surveys Open ended activities Group work discussion Visits Visitors to school eg:  Community Police Officer  Dental Hygienist  Road Safety Officer  Dietician  Year 4 children are offered the opportunity to participate in the Phase 1 Cycling Proficiency Scheme

Assessment, Recording and Reporting[See separate policy] Assessments are made within appropriate National curriculum areas and may be based on a variety of evidence and examples: 1. Discussion 2. Continuous 3. Diagnostic 4. Written

teacher and child child and child by talking, listening and observing through discussion arising from specific or everyday tasks recorded evidence of children's work

Evidence of children's work may be found in portfolios, but this would be the exception rather than the norm.

Continuity and progression are ensured through advance Key Stage planning and monitored on a termly basis.

The written annual report of each child's progress (given to parents) does not specifically highlight Health Education. Written comments may be included within appropriate National Curriculum areas or within the general comments section of the report.

Policy reviewed: Nov 2009

Next Review date: Nov 2010

Date adopted by governing body: