WORKING TO BECOME A HEALTHIER SCHOOL

HEALTHY SCHOOLS

In May 2006 the Government announced new standards for all food and drink sold in schools. Over the last eighteen months we have been working to the new standards and over the next year there will be further changes to the food served at break time.

Why are there new standards?

There are important reasons for bringing in new food standards across the school day:

·        Surveys show that children’s health is deteriorating – in particular there has been an alarming rise in obesity. By 2020 it is predicted that half of our children will either be overweight or obese and can bring massive health problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease in later life.

·        These standards are designed to promote overall health.

·        Research tells us that young people need a great deal of help and guidance to eat healthily at school – not just in their learning but also by exposing them to good food environments. Messages need to be consistent with the sorts of food they see around them. It is not enough to provide healthier choices alongside less healthy options. The new standards reflect and support the principles of a whole school approach to healthy eating (where pupils receive consistent messages about healthy eating across the curriculum, food provision and school practices).

·        Feedback from teachers suggests that when pupils eat better they do better in the classroom – behaviour and performance improve.

We wish to continue the promotion of healthier eating in school and help direct pupils to the sorts of food they should be eating on an everyday basis.

The new standards simply request an increase in healthy foods and a decrease in those that have little or no benefit to the health of the staff and students. The School Food Trust has produced guidance and information for parents and young people. For those interested, this can be found at www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk . We must work together until every student views Sir Jamie Oliver as a national treasure!

Keith Milliken

 

HEALTHY SCHOOLS REPRESENTATIVES

Healthy Schools

Five Year 12 students, (from left to right), Melvyn Adjei, Tom Harriott, Nilukshan Jeganathan, Remy Maguire and Matthew Ogunsanya have been selected as the inaugral Healthy Schools Representatives. Over the next twelve months they will work with the Healthy Schools Task Group as the school works towards achieving the National Healthy Schools Standard. They will also endeavour to raise the profile of many health related issues affecting the whole school community. We wish them well as they begin their duties.
 

BREAKFAST CLUB

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  The KEGS Breakfast Club has opened its doors to staff and pupils and a small range of food and drinks are available from the school canteen on a daily basis, from 7.45am until 8.45am. Items on sale include toast, fruit, cereals, yoghurts, hot drinks and fruit juices.

Recent research has pointed out that:

  •         that children who ate breakfast did better in school
  •         people who ate breakfast every day were a third less likely to be obese compared to those who skipped the meal and they were half as likely to have blood-sugar problems, which increase the risk of developing diabetes or having high cholesterol.
  •         eating first thing in the morning may help to stabilise blood sugar levels, which regulate appetite and energy.
  •         people who eat breakfast are less likely to be hungry during the rest of the day and are, therefore, less likely to overeat.

 

As an aspiring ‘Healthy School’ we are committed to further development, both in relation to the four key themes and other areas. More information about the National Healthy Schools Programme can be found at www.essexandsouthendhealthyschools.com and www.wiredforhealth.gov.uk.

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