At The Coppice, we encourage all
children to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Things we do at The Coppice to promote a healthy lifestyle:
EYFS and KS1 children are provided with a piece of fruit each day. Any leftovers are made available for KS2 children. All children can bring in their own healthy snack as outlined in our ‘Healthy Lunchbox and Breaktime Policy’.
All children are able to bring in their own lunchbox if they choose not to have a meal provided by ABM. We encourage parents to provide their children with a healthy and nutritious lunch. If lunchtime staff are concerned about a child’s lunch or eating habits, they will inform the class teacher or a member of SLT. Advice for parents about healthy lunches can be found in our ‘Healthy Lunchbox and Breaktime Policy’.
In September, in line with the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), we will have a Healthy Eating Focus called ‘Snack-tember’. The aim is to help children and parents make and choose healthier, more sustainable snacks with:
Children bring in their own water bottles, which can be refilled during the school day. They have access to their water during lessons, at convenient times under the direction of the class teacher. There are also several water fountains located around the school.
Being outside in the fresh air and leading an active lifestyle is important. We are fortunate to have a large outdoor area that is used all year round. We also have a MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) that has an all-weather surface, so PE lessons can safely take place outside. This is also used for ball-based games during break times.
All children from Reception to Year 6 are given an hour-long lunch break, as well as a morning break, to allow them to get plenty of fresh air and stay active.
We are part of the OPAL programme, which ensures our children get the best possible outdoor play during their lunchtimes. OPAL encourages active and physical play as well as improving well-being and social skills. Children are encouraged to play out in all weather, bringing in their own wellies and waterproofs. We also have a boot and waterproof library for children to borrow items. To find out more about OPAL, please visit our separate OPAL section on the website.
We offer a wide selection of after-school clubs that promote a healthy lifestyle. Many of the clubs are physical and sport-related, including our popular and successful gymnastics club. We also offer a cookery club that takes place in our very own Phiz lab (Science room).
See more information on our ‘Clubs’ page.
We also take part in many sporting competitions, including football, netball, athletics, tri-golf, tag rugby, boccia, hockey and gymnastics. We value having the ‘Bears’ wheelchair basketball team come to work with our upper KS2 children. They select a group of children to represent the school at a wheelchair basketball competition. This opens up opportunities for our children with disabilities to feel valued.
To develop cycling confidence and safety, we hold Bikeability sessions for our Year 5 children. Bikeability cycle training equips children with vital life skills. Pupils not only learn to cycle but also gain independence, social skills and a sense of wellbeing. As a result, more children cycle to school, which in turn improves mental health and wellbeing. This also prepares our Y5 and Y6 children for coming to school independently and safely.
We encourage parents and children to walk to school rather than travel by car. Children are also encouraged to cycle or scooter to school. We provide racks so they can safely leave their scooters or bikes at school.
Through our PSHE Curriculum, we teach the children about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and how to look after their bodies (through what they eat, by keeping clean and staying active). Our older children also receive drug education, in line with Curriculum expectations.
We offer a range of trips and visits from Nursery through to Year 6 to expand learning beyond the school environment. Many of these are outdoor-based and link to the wider curriculum. With a particular focus on physical development and well-being, we offer the following:
We teach all our children to swim in Year 3, taking them to a local swimming pool. The children learning to swim 25 metres, they are also taught about water safety.
As well as encouraging children to swim for fitness and well-being, we also carry out water safety assemblies in school at key points in the year, raising awareness of the dangers of water and how to stay safe.