Glyncoed Primary School in Pentwyn is the
latest school to receive a national award for its work to promote health and
wellbeing throughout its school community.
Assessors for theWelsh Network of the
Healthy School Schemes National Quality Award (NQA) found that with support
fromCardiff
Council's Healthy Schools Team, the school has introduced a number of schemes
which promote health and wellbeing at the very highest standard.
Initiatives that were praised include the
implementation of the schools Active Travel scheme which includes an active
travel plan, new bike sheds and a walking bus tocollect pupils and take
them to after-school club.The pupils in the School Nutrition Action Group
(SNAG) also organise the provision of a nutritious fruit stand in the junior
playground.
Assessors also applauded the
range of strategies which have been introduced across the school to promote
positive mental health and the fact that pupils are proactively encouraged to
use reflective practice.
In addition, the report
commended Glyncoed Primary School as a UN Rights Respecting school and noted
that it was abundantly clear that this has a positive and beneficial effect on
school life.
Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council and Cabinet
Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "I am
delighted to learn that two more of the city's primary schools have been
awarded the prestigious National Quality Award which recognises the hard work
from staff, pupils and parents.
"Health and wellbeing plays an important
part of school life and the broad range of activities and schemes presented by
these schools, will go towards having a positive impact on everyone associated
with the school community."
Describing the benefits that working towards
healthy schools status has had on the school Headteacher Mrs Elizabeth Beevers
said: "Our success is a reflection of the fantastic work of all
stakeholders - pupils, staff, parents, governors and volunteers- who work with
me to drive the school forward and promote physical and mental wellbeing for everyone
in our school community.
"I am very proud of the excellent practice
of staff in promoting the health of our staff and pupils across every area of
school life. We have worked with a range of partners to develop our bespoke
co-curricular wellbeing programme and we will continue to promote and extend
our wellbeing provision even further through new partnerships in
2019-2020."
Recently Bishop Childs Church in Wales Primary
School in St Mellons also received the award bringing the number of NQA Cardiff
schools to eight.
During a visit to Bishop Childs C/W, inspectors
praised the school for their approach to food and fitness and commented that
‘pupils and staff are happy, which reflects that mental and emotional health
and wellbeing is at the heart of everyday life of the school.'
The school was also praised for its
anti-bullying policy, ‘Playground Buddies' which helps children experiencing
loneliness and the school's commitment to environmental issues including a
Reflection Garden for all to use when a calm outdoor space is required.
Headteacher at Bishop Childs,
Nicola Price said: "Children at Bishop Childs learn about how to lead
healthy lives with regards to food, physical activity and even tooth brushing
is a part of the school's daily routine. We are proud of this practice and
there are additional things that we think are particularly special, our pupils
take the lead and their ideas and opinions are sought and acted upon. They themselves place health
and wellbeing at the heart of the school and staff, in turn, are required
follow this lead as role models.
"I am proud of the
efforts of all our children, staff and parents and I hope that this healthy
start in life will help shape positive lifestyles choices into adulthood."
Managed by Public Health Wales, the scheme has
been running since 1999 and requires schools to demonstrate strengths within
seven health topics including; Food and Fitness, Mental and Emotional Health
and Wellbeing, Personal Development and Relationships, Substance Use and
Misuse, Safety, Hygiene and Environment.
Gemma Cox, Principal Public Health Practitioner
- Educational Settings, Public Health Wales said: "We are delighted that
Glyncoed Primary School have received our National Quality award. They deserve
this important recognition for their commitment to embedding the whole school
approach to health and wellbeing in the culture and fabric of the school.
"This achievement demonstrates how the
Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes are enabling Public Health Wales to
work in equal partnership with schools to improve the future health and
wellbeing of our children. By combining our efforts and assets in a purposeful
way, we can create a healthier, happier and fairer Wales."