Parent Quotes (before change) “I feel like there are not enough fruit and vegetables on offer at break time, it would also be good if the puddings offered were healthier” D.Potter (Year 3 parent). “Snack items are too high in carbs, there is very few fruit options available” T. Campen-Howarth (Year 3 parent). Our Action Plan We have already made significant positive changes this year, but we understand the need for long-term aims and a consistent approach that will ultimately healthy eating and the understanding of why a balanced diet is necessary into the day-to-day life within the academy. We have set out a three-year plan that we feel will allow us to positively change the eating habits within the academy and form the foundations for us to continue to build on it in the years to come. Year Aims Measures 2017-2018 Evaluate the existing dietary and eating habits within the academy. Write a ‘Healthy Food Policy’. Implement the new policy. Promote the policy and change within the academy. Evaluate the changes and make suggestions for improvements. Gain ‘Healthy Schools’ award through the ‘food in schools’ category. Gain the ‘Sugar Smart’ status. Launch a ‘breakfast club’ for targeted pupils. Promote healthy eating within our new initiative of ‘Wellness Week’ in July. Evaluate all of the above. Pupils surveys, parent meeting with questionnaires. Observations. Policy to be approved by SLT Observations, Positive promotion and praise. Observations, discussions with staff and pupils. Feedback from pupils and meet with parents / carers. Questionnaire. Outcome of application. Outcome of application. How many pupils are attending? Feedback from staff. Pupils engagement. How much did the pupils learn and experience? Meet with SLT, gain evidence and evaluate the progress made, ensure appropriate targets are set. 2018-2019 Ensure the year begins with all pupils, and parents /carers aware of the policy and the importance of it. Two assemblies per term on healthy eating and the importance of balanced nutrition. New pupils starting the academy to receive the guidance and support NJA leaflet. Existing pupils and parents / carers to be reminded of our expectations. One from Healthy Academys / Sugar smart and one from a member of staff / class.
Offer parent / carer workshops to support them in providing their child with a nutritionally balanced snack or lunch. Ensure there are numerous cross-curricular links with ‘healthy eating’ Pupils to do more cooking and food preparation on site as part of the curriculum. To a ‘healthy eating and cookery’ club to pupils. Extend the extra-curricular gardening club into the core curriculum for Year 3 and 4. All of these pupils to grow herbs / fruit or veg and understand the process. Evaluate all of the above. Attendance figures and feedback. Review planning and ensure nutrition is included and links and opportunities are highlighted. What this done? Feedback from staff and pupils. Participation numbers and pupil feedback. Was this implemented? Lead ‘gardening’ teachers to monitor. Staff and child feedback Meet with SLT. Gain evidence and evaluate the progress made. 2019-2020 Ensure the Healthy Eating policy is reinforced at the beginning of the year. Two assemblies per term based on healthy eating and the importance of balanced nutrition. Continue to offer parent / carer workshops in areas they have asked to be supported in. To offer a ‘healthy eating and cookery’ club to pupils. Ensure pupils are ‘cooking’ at least once a term within the curriculum. The pupils will be planting seeds, growing produce, harvesting produce and preparing it across all four year groups. To host a ‘healthy eating’ cooking competition. Evaluate all of the New pupils starting the academy to receive the guidance and support NJA leaflet. Existing pupils and parents / carers to be reminded of our expectations. One from Healthy Academys / Sugar smart and one from a member of staff / class. Attendance figures and feedback. Participation figures. Ensure it is included within the planning. Was this implemented? Lead ‘gardening’ teachers to monitor. Staff and child feedback Participation uptake. Feedback from pupils and parents. Meet with SLT. Gain evidence and evaluate the progress made. 2017-2018 Action Plan
Our academy are enjoying being part of this journey, although they are concerned that the number of pupils buying snacks from the dining hall at break time has reduced drastically since the transition has phased out the unhealthier options. “We have made significant healthy changes, especially to the tuck sold at break time. Although we know we are doing the right thing for the pupils we are concerned about the decrease in snacks sold at break time as some pupils are resistant to making healthier choices” (K.Stevens, Cook in charge). After discussion with Karen (cook in charge), we have arranged a meeting with a local food company who works with a local secondary academy to give us some ideas and inspiration on what else we can offer. The chefs will also be going into each class with a tasting platter of healthy foods that are available at break time so the pupils can taste them or try something new. What will you do next? We will continue to follow our 3-year action plan whilst evaluating and adjusting our aims as necessary. We will consolidate the positive food changes within the academy during the ‘wellness week’ in July. This will allow the pupils to plan, prepare and cook healthy snacks and meals. All pupils will also be given an ‘eat a rainbow’ chart to encourage pupils to eat fruit and veg at academy and at home. Certificates will be awarded for this. It is important we are consistent with our approach and engrain ‘healthy lifestyles’ in the day-to-day life of our academy. We are excited about what the future holds for Newquay Junior Academy, we aspire to be a leading academy for ‘food in schools’.