We teach students about the importance and benefits of healthy habits as part of our Personal, Social, Health and Economic syllabus, and promote physical activity, a balanced diet and self-care activities throughout the curriculum and school life.
Healthy eating
At Ark Charter we pride ourselves on providing flavoursome, nutritionally balanced lunches to our students, and our hot and cold 'Grab and Go' menu available to all year groups: a hot meal plan as well as a choice of baguettes. All 'Grab and Go' menus include a choice of snacks such as fruit or salad pots in addition to the main selection.
We also run a breakfast club where children can get involved in a range of activities and receive a nutritionally balanced meal.
Mr V. Bonniot
Mental Health
We promote positive mental health for every student and member of staff, and have both a universal whole-school approach to mental health, together with specialised, targeted approaches for vulnerable students.
Place2Be
Ark Schools collaborate with the children's mental health charity Place2Be. At Ark Charter, we are incredibly lucky to have our very own Place2Be worker in school 5 days a week. Cheryl McBride is our Place2Be staff member. She is there to help students find ways to cope with difficult feelings or situations, so their worries don't get in the way of their friendships, their learning or how they feel about themselves. Place2Be's professionals work with individuals one-to-one or in small groups, giving regular support for pupils who need it. Place2Be always gets agreement from parents or carers before they support an individual through one-to-one counselling, and meet with parents or carers regularly to keep them updated.
Place2Be are here to facilitate & empower young people to find ways to cope, so their worries don’t get in the way of their friendships, their learning or confidence within themselves.
Visit place2be.org.uk or get in touch with our Place2Be staff member to find out more.
Physical activity
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The aim of the fitness programme is to ensure that pupils receive regular exercise activity. Lessons are designed to raise the heart rate and improve overall fitness, stamina and flexibility. Units across the year and across the school develop the following:
- Flexibility exercise. Children become more agile when they are able to stretch and move their bodies in a full range of motion. Encouraging children to begin stretching in childhood can help them maintain limber physiques throughout life.
- Strength and stamina. Strength exercises can help children build healthy muscles. With an appropriately organised programme, children can advance their strength and stamina. Due to the age of pupils and risk of injury during growth spurts no weights will be used during strength classes; most workouts will focus on non-resistance training and developing stamina.
- Aerobic exercise. Cardiovascular training is an important component of children’s fitness, keeping their heart and lungs strong.
- Circuit training. Children can apply their strength and stamina, and develop greater levels of fitness through circuit training. Circuit training combines aerobic exercise, strength, stamina and flexibility.