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• East Riding Healthy Schools Programme - Parents’/Carers’ Handbook

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IntroductionWelcome to the parents and carers handbook for the East Riding of Yorkshire Healthy Schools programme. Inside you’ll find lots of information about how to help your child be healthy, happy and safe while they’re at school and what schools and local partners are doing to help. It feels like you can’t turn on the TV or open a newspaper at the moment without being bombarded with loads of health messages. This booklet aims to give you the low-down on what’s happening locally and how you can get involved. In the East Riding area all our schools are engaged with the Healthy Schools programme and 92% have achieved National Healthy School Status. You will probably have seen changes in your child’s school as they promote healthier attitudes to things like food and exercise. Look out for the blue and white Healthy School logo in school. Schools have to make changes and improve what they are doing in four areas. These are:

• Personal, Social and Health Education (or PSHE)

• Healthy Eating

• Physical Activity

• Emotional Health and Well-being.

We’ll go into more detail about these areas in the rest of the booklet. The Healthy Schools Programme is 10 years old this year and is going through some big changes recently to bring it up to date and to make it really relevant to children’s lives. You’ll read more about some of our local services in this book as well.

Karron Young, Healthy Schools Local Programme Coordinator


Contents

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11

20

16

21Drug Education

Sex and Relationship Education

PSHE Healthy Eating

Physical Activity

Emotional Health and Wellbeing

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PSHEPersonal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) is a really important part of your child’s education. It is taught in a variety of ways at school: as separate lessons, as part of other lessons, during circle time or assemblies. It’s an opportunity to touch on lots of different areas like staying healthy, sex and relationship education, drug education, friendships and bullying. Circle time is when the whole class sits together and discusses an issue. This may be an issue which is particular to that class like friendship groups or it may be a way of talking about other topics like current affairs or feelings. There are rules that everyone must follow like taking turns, listening properly and respecting the opinions of others. Take some time to find out what your child has been learning in PSHE and help them to practice their new skills outside the classroom.


Why professionals need to talk to each otherIf the people who are working with a child can

• make sure that every child is getting the support they need;

•get bigger; and,

• work together, which means that a child (or family) doesn’t have to explain the same

People should only talk about a child if the child (or parent/carer) agrees. But there may be times when they have to talk to someone urgently, such as if a child is in danger or seriously ill.

The information on ContactPointContactPoint will only hold simple informationsuch as:• Name, address, and date of birth of everyone

in England up to their 18th birthday;• Name and address for each child’s:

- Parents or carers;- School and doctor;- Other services (e.g. health visitor).

By law, ContactPoint cannot hold any details like doctors’ notes or school records.

Who can use ContactPointContactPoint will only be used by:

• people whose job it is to help children and young people – this could be a school nurse or a youth worker.

• people whose job it is to make sure ContactPoint is

accurate and up-to-date.

ContactPoint is part of a big plan called ‘Every Child Matters’. The plan involves everyone who works with children, and is about making sure that all children and young people can have a good life, whoever they are, and no matter what problems they may face.

who else is working with the same child, which means a child may have to wait a long time to get the help they need. This is where ContactPoint will help.

ContactPoint will be like a computer-based phone book. It will help people who work with children to

contact details.

ContactPoint - What’s it all about?

Keeping ContactPoint safeContactPoint will meet tough security standards and experts will keep testing it.

Before professionals can use ContactPoint they must: • be trained to make sure they know how to use

it properly and securely. • have passed strict security checks, and have

their own user name, password, PIN and security token.

There will be checks to make sure ContactPoint is always being used by the right people in the right way. If someone uses ContactPoint without permission or good reason, they will be punished.

How long a record will be on ContactPointA young person’s record will be removed from ContactPoint when they turn 18 (apart from some young people who can choose to stay on until they are 25).

Children and young people can see their recordChildren and young people, or their mum, dad or carer when acting on a child’s behalf (e.g. when a child is very young), can see their record and ask to have it corrected if they believe something on there – e.g. an address - is wrong.

When it will be readyProfessionals will start to use ContactPoint in early 2009.

Further information is available fromLee Butler-Johnson on (01482) 393544Every Child Matters Website www.ecm.gov.uk/contactpoint

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Sex and Relationship Education (SRE)

Why is it that children ask the most difficult questions just as you’re unloading your trolley at the supermarket or as you’re reversing into a tricky parking space? It’s sometimes difficult to know how to answer your children honestly and directly when you’re flustered yourself. All schools teach SRE and they’ll have a policy about how they do that. Children have been learning about how to develop relationships all their lives: with their friends and family members and later in school they’ll learn about how they may form relationships as adults. Before any lessons begin in the classroom, your school will offer you the opportunity to come and look at the resources they use like books and videos and the teacher or school nurse will talk to you about how they intend to teach SRE. It’s vital that children know about changes that will happen to them before they hit puberty. They’ll also learn about what sex is and how babies are made. This is all taught in a safe, non-threatening way and there will usually be a question box in the classroom so children can anonymously post questions if they have concerns

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from aspects of SRE which are not part of the statutory National Curriculum Science Orders, but do go and chat to your child’s class teacher first. Studies have shown that the best understanding happens when parents talk to their children. So how can you help when that tricky moment arrives?

• Try to find out about the context, why are they asking this now, have they read or heard something or seen something on TV?

• Check that you are sure what it is they want to know.

• Be encouraging (I’m glad you asked me that, that’s a very interesting question).

• Make eye contact with the child, smile. Find somewhere comfortable and quiet to talk.

• Try to be honest and straightforward, not evasive. Don’t make up stories and avoid over-complicated analogies (storks and gooseberry bushes!) and use the proper words.

• Read children’s information books and watch SRE videos for help with simple explanations and appropriate vocabulary (your school or school nurse will be able to point you in the right direction).

• Acknowledge your own embarrassment (that’s a very difficult question to answer, it’s hard to explain this).

• Think about the age and experience of the child (family life? older brothers or sisters?)

• Consider whether to delay answering (can we talk about that later when we’ve got home from the supermarket?) - But make sure the child knows when this will be.

• Don’t give more information than the child wants to know.

• Check that they got the information they wanted and that they understood.

• Let them know they can always ask you again if there is something they are still not clear about.

• Remember how grateful they will be when they are older that someone explained it clearly!


www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Everything parents need to know about from babies to teens. You can also call their helpline on 0800 783 6783.

www.dcsf.gov.uk

This government website has loads of information - search for PSHE or SRE.

www.ruthinking.co.uk

This site is for teenagers but it contains lots of helpful infomration for parents.

www.fpa.org.uk

This site has lots of factual information.

www.teenagehealthfreak.com

This site is for teens but it makes great reading.

www.ruthinking.co.uk

www.fpa.org.uk

www.channel4.com/health

www.likeitis.org.uk

www.parentlineplus.org.uk

www.luveyorks.co.uk

[email protected]

Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) Cont

Learn More:

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www.ruthinking.co.uk www.fpa.org.uk www.channel4.com/health www.likeitis.org.uk www.parentlineplus.org.ukwww.luveyorks.co.uk [email protected]

Contact:

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Drug education is also taught within the PSHE curriculum and covers everything from using medicines safely to tobacco and illegal drugs. You may have seen your children playing in the role play corner of their Nursery or Reception class, bandaging stuffed toys at the `vets’ surgery’ or booking appointments at the `hospital.’ Later, children find out about safe and unsafe medicines, and then learn about the effects of smoking and alcohol on the body and what sorts of legal and illegal drugs exist. Some of this is taught within the Science curriculum. All schools will have a Drugs Policy which includes what is taught in the curriculum and have reference to how the school manages drug related incidents.The world of illegal drugs changes all the time with new legal classifications and different drugs coming onto the streets so now is a good time to brush up on your knowledge. Bear in mind that the number of young people drinking alcohol is on the increase and that smoking often appeals to youngsters. All East Riding Schools are totally smoke free sites. Like SRE, children learn best when their learning at school is reinforced by learning from home. So how can you help your child?• Know the facts Make use of the materials available to parents (see below)• Don’t force the issue Some of the best conversations come out of the blue. For example, use the opportunity of a TV programme to check whether your child has understood.• Listen with an open mind Try not to use sentences like `you won’t ever take drugs will you?’• Say what you believe• Show you care: Build self esteem and encourage your child to be a confident decision maker by encouraging them to make sensible decisions in other areas of their lives.• Don’t preach• Don’t use scare tactics• Repeat the message All learning needs to be repeated in order for the messages to sink in.

Drug education

••


www.talktofrank.com

Everything you ever needed to know about drugs but were afraid to ask. You can also call on 0800 77 6600.

www.wrecked.co.uk

Make sure your knowledge about alcohol is to up to date with this website by Think About Drink.

www.re-solve.org

All you need to know about volatile substance abuse (solvents, glues etc.)

www.smokefreeengland.co.uk

England went smoke free on July 7th 2008. Find out more about what this means.

www.readytostopsmoking.co.uk

Hull and East Riding Stop Smoking service dedicated website to signpost people wanting to quit to local support services.

Freephone number 0800 915 59 59 or text QUIT to 81800.

Learn More:

Drug education Cont

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0800 915 59 59 or textQUIT to 81800*www.readytostopsmoking.co.uk

Does Your Child Need Help?

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We have further education courses in Art, Design and Media, Business and Administration, Construction, Early Years, Foundation Programmes, Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Catering, Information Technology, Motor Vehicle and Engineering, Music, Public Services, Sport and Recreation, and Travel and Tourism.

To � nd out more, call 0845 120 0037 or visit www.eastridingcollege.ac.uk

By coming to East Riding College, you can get the skills employers want, get a head start on your way to university and earn extra A-levels and GCSEs at the same time.

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You might think that other people’s tobacco smoke is simply a bit unpleasant. But it’s much worse than that. Secondhand smoke is harmful to health. This is because secondhand smoke contains over 4000 chemicals.

Fact: Secondhand smoke exposes babies to a greater risk of cot death.

Fact: Secondhand smoke causes heart disease and lung cancer.

Fact: Secondhand smoke doubles the chances of children getting asthma or if they already have asthma making their breathing worse.

Are you ready to stop smoking and would like some help?

The NHS offers a wide range of free and easily accessible stop smoking support for smokers. This includes one to one support for young smokers (under 18 years) wanting to quit smoking, in conjunction with the Hull and East Riding NHS Stop Smoking Service. A variety of products to help smokers stop smoking are available if appropriate.

For more information please call Freephone 0800 915 5959 or text QUIT to 81800 or visit www.readytostopsmoking.co.uk

Stop Smoking Service ‘Give up 4 Good’


Healthy EatingThis is the second theme from the Healthy Schools programme. Many people have been really busy in East Riding over the last couple of years to improve school meals. Schools are also busy writing their whole school food policies and these set out the schools’ attitudes to all aspects of food across the school day including snacks, packed lunches, treats and parties. Ask if you can be involved in helping to develop this policy and if you’re involved in the PTA, find out about what this means for fundraising or parties. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin as we have so many different messages thrown at us by TV personalities, celebrities and health gurus. Are carbohydrates good or bad? Should we be banning chocolate completely? What if my child won’t eat vegetables?

Healthy Eating Made Easy!

We all know that healthy eating is important for our children but helping them to make a healthy choice can sometimes seem like hard work. Making those steps towards eating more healthily should not be a chore.

Our school meals team has been really busy in the East Riding over the last 3 years to improve school meals. They have produced menus and recipes for primary schools to follow which meet the current DCSF legislation for school lunches. Six secondary schools have been part of a pilot with the School Food Trust to meet the legislation for secondary school ahead of time (Sept 09). Schools have been busy writing their whole school food policies and these set out the school’s attitudes to all aspects of food across the school day including snacks, packed lunches, treats and parties. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin as we have so many different messages thrown at us by TV personalities, celebrities and health gurus. The national Change4Life campaign signposts to healthy eating habits including:

• Me size meals

• Sugar swaps

• Cut back fat

• 5 a day

• Snack check

The Eatwell Plate (formerly the Balance of Good Health) is pictured to the right and gives guidance about food groups and portion sizes for a healthy, balanced diet.

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Snacking

When children want a snack between meals it is important to choose the right foods. It is often difficult to find a healthy snack when you are out and about. A good idea is to have a snack-store of healthy foods with you to choose from. A snack-store could include a small orange, box of raisins, a currant bun (without icing) and a carton of milk.

Encouraging children to eat healthily

Getting children to try new foods is often both a challenge but rewarding. A few tips include eating with your children and sharing the healthy food you like with them - let them see you eat and enjoy a wide variety of food - this is so effective.

Sometimes include children in deciding what they are going to eat, let them choose a meal, talk about ideas of new things to try and encourage them to sample new tastes by the mouthful, rather than the plateful.

Schools are working hard to encourage children to make a healthy choice. You can find much more information contained in these great websites - check them out.

www.foodinschools.org

Find out how the Government will carry out its approach to school food.

www.foodstandards.gov.uk

The number one site for food safety and healthy eating issues.

www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk

Find out about all the new food standards and ways of implementing them in schools.

www.nutrition.org.uk

Home of the British Nutrition Foundation. Recipes and ideas.

www.thinkvegetables.co.uk

Ideas on how to make veggies more interesting.

www.welltown.gov.uk

Healthy Lifestyles for under 7s.

www.lifebytes.gov.uk/eating

Are you a healthy eater? Find out here.

Learn More:


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Countryside AccessCOUNTRYSIDE EVENTSFrom Kids go Wild days to Discovering Mammals we provide the means for all ages and all abilities to get out into the countryside and enjoy themselves. Being out in the countryside gives us a sense of well being, makes us a little less stressed, takes us to new places and gives us new experiences; either on your own or in the company of the others the East Riding countryside is well worth a visit.

Pick up your events programme here.

W@LKING THE RIDINGFind out about our extensive network of local public rights of way that cross the East Riding which can be used for walking, mountain biking and horse--riding. Take up walking for the fi rst time as a healthy lifestyle choice with the help of this excellent web site.

Search for • the best walks near you• long distance walks• healthy walks, and• Yorkshire Wolds Way walks

With 250 walking routes you really are spoilt for choice

EXPLORING NATURE RESERVESOur network of nature reserves offers opportunities to get close to nature on easy to use trails. The 12 in East Ridingrange from windswept coastal headlands,ancient woodlands, and fl ower rich meadows to disused railways, chalk quarries and long abandoned landfi ll sites. The sites have car parks, picnic sites and interpretation boards to make your visit more informative. For details of these sites pick up the events programme here, and join us on an day when we have an event.

ENRICHING WILDLIFEProtecting biodiversity on our land is importantand the countryside sites are managed in a way that benefi ts the most fragile and vulnerable of habitats and species. We manage woodlands, ponds, grassland and scrub for the benefi t of nature; a rich and varied countryside improves our quality of life, and gives us all the opportunity to learn more about the natural environment.

For more information on countryside access visit: www.eastriding.gov.uk/countrysideaccess


Countryside AccessCOUNTRYSIDE EVENTSFrom Kids go Wild days to Discovering Mammals we provide the means for all ages and all abilities to get out into the countryside and enjoy themselves. Being out in the countryside gives us a sense of well being, makes us a little less stressed, takes us to new places and gives us new experiences; either on your own or in the company of the others the East Riding countryside is well worth a visit.

Pick up your events programme here.

W@LKING THE RIDINGFind out about our extensive network of local public rights of way that cross the East Riding which can be used for walking, mountain biking and horse--riding. Take up walking for the fi rst time as a healthy lifestyle choice with the help of this excellent web site.

Search for • the best walks near you• long distance walks• healthy walks, and• Yorkshire Wolds Way walks

With 250 walking routes you really are spoilt for choice

EXPLORING NATURE RESERVESOur network of nature reserves offers opportunities to get close to nature on easy to use trails. The 12 in East Ridingrange from windswept coastal headlands,ancient woodlands, and fl ower rich meadows to disused railways, chalk quarries and long abandoned landfi ll sites. The sites have car parks, picnic sites and interpretation boards to make your visit more informative. For details of these sites pick up the events programme here, and join us on an day when we have an event.

ENRICHING WILDLIFEProtecting biodiversity on our land is importantand the countryside sites are managed in a way that benefi ts the most fragile and vulnerable of habitats and species. We manage woodlands, ponds, grassland and scrub for the benefi t of nature; a rich and varied countryside improves our quality of life, and gives us all the opportunity to learn more about the natural environment.

For more information on countryside access visit: www.eastriding.gov.uk/countrysideaccess


www.schoolrunisfun.co.uk

Everything you need to know about walking, riding or scootering to school.

www.bridssp.co.uk

Find out about our Sports Partnership based in Bridlington.

www.humbersport.com

The Humber Sport partnership website.

www.southhunsleyssp.co.uk

Find out about our Sports Partnership based at South Hunsley School.

www.bikeability.org.uk

Everything you need to know about cycle training for the 21st century.

www.walktoschool.org.uk

All the information you need to know about walk to school week and how to get involved.

Learn More:

Physical Activity

We all know how important it is for our children to be physically active and as the UK gears up for the Olympics in 2012, sport will be everywhere we look. The School Sports Partnership and the Sport and Play Development service are working really hard in the East Riding to ensure that all pupils reach the government target of two hours of high quality PE each week at school. There is a wide range of sports and activities on offer so that every child has a chance to succeed and develop their skills and learn how to make activity a part of their everyday lives. There are competitions, games and events suited to all abilities. Each secondary school works with a group of local primaries and there is a team of Coordinators working across the authority. You and your children are also encouraged to walk to school and schools are developing travel plans to monitor and help with this. You’ve probably heard of the School Run is Fun website in partnership with Viking Radio.

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Emotional Health and Well Being

This is another of the four Healthy Schools themes and to teach children about this, most schools are using a resource called SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning). SEAL has been produced by the government to give schools opportunities to teach children the skills around relationships, how to manage their feelings and express themselves clearly. There are topics like ‘getting on and falling out’ and `good to be me’ as well as ‘bullying.’ Children learn how to manage their feelings and deal with conflict. Each topic starts and ends with a whole school assembly, as well as class lessons and in addition your child might be involved in working with a small group of children. Parents may also be invited to join in so look out for homework sent in your child’s book bag.

You can support your child in lots of ways:• Reinforce the range of words they can use for feelings to them express themselves (I felt proud when I did my reading, I felt angry when I was pushed over).

• Talk about how to manage conflict and negative feelings and share your tips too (I walk away until I feel calmer, I count to 10, I breathe deeply).

• Help your child with their sense of belonging to the family, school community and home communities.

• Help your child to think positively about themself and set realistic goals.

• Tell your child what your behaviour expectations are and how these apply at home and at school.

• Don’t worry about asking for help when you need it! If it’s a behaviour problem your child’s school may be able to help or give Parent line Plus a call (0808 800 222).


Bullying

Schools in the East Riding are working hard to prevent bullying from happening but we all know that bullying can sometimes be a problem. All schools will have a policy about how they deal with bullying and what they’re doing to prevent bullying so try and find out what your child’s school is doing. Children will also be taught what bullying is, what it feels like and how they can prevent it. How to ask for help is an essential part of teaching about bullying. Remember that not all conflicts are bullying. Bullying can be verbal, physical or emotional and goes on over a period of time. It is deliberate and hurtful and often involves power that may come from a group of people. Falling out with your friends may not be bullying but is equally upsetting.

So how can you help your child?• Talk to your child about what they like to do at school, who they like to play with and what they enjoy about school.

• Listen carefully to your child when they talk about upsets and tell them that you understand.

• Try to ensure your child feels valued and loved but don’t suggest that they fight back or become aggressive. This won’t help!

Make sure you speak to the school as soon as possible to iron out any problems before they escalate. This applies if you have concerns that your child may be the one doing the bullying as well.

www.bullying.co.uk

An anti-bullying charity with loads of information.

www.childline.org.uk

Help for children and young people.

www.kidscape.org.uk

Kidscape charity works to beat bullying. They can also be contacted on 0845 120 5204.

www.beatbullying.org

All the latest information and developments relating to bullying.

www.youngminds.org.uk

Lots of information about positive mental health for children and young people.

www.childbereavement.org.uk

Helping families deal with bereavement.

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want to be heard?

make yourmusic matter

www.eastriding.gov.uk/education/music

tel 01482 392680

Education Welfare ServiceOur team of education welfare officer’s are available to work with children,

young people, families and schools who are experiencing attendance problems.

For advice, guidance and information on attendance concerns covering:

Working together to support children, young people and families

Unauthorised absences•Medical absences•Family holiday•Schoolgirl pregnancy and •teenage parentsElective home education•Children missing education•In-year transfer of students•Parenting support•

Behaviour and exclusions•Children in care•Special educational needs•Alternative and work •related learningYoung offenders•Child employment, •entertainment and sporting licensing

Contact:Education Welfare ServiceRoom FF20County HallBeverleyHU17 9BATel: (01482) 392146Email: [email protected]

or your schoolsEducationWelfareOfficer

eastriding

Documents

white healthy school

national healthy school

health education pshe

childs school

childs education

east riding area

local services

local partners