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 Burlington Danes Academy we value the importance of meal times. It is important to us that children eat well and as such our chef takes great care to provide an adventurous, healthy and balanced diet to our children. We have an onsite kitchen where all our meals are cooked fresh each day.
The menus incorporate dishes from around the world to introduce children to tastes and flavours that are both familiar and new to them. This develops their culinary curiosity and openness to trying as wide a variety of foods as possible.
Pupils learn table manners, how to hold cutlery properly, how to lay a table and have opportunity to experience discussion and dialogue over dinner with support from staff. We place great importance on all our pupils learning these important social skills and therefore this is a part of the school day which is planned for and shared with teachers and other adults.
We also run a breakfast club where children can get involved in a range of activities and receive a nutritionally balanced meal.
Mental health
At Burlington Danes Primary Academy, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.
We have a range of programmes and resources to support children and families.
West London Zone - a 2-year programme which is a personalised and intensive package of support tailored to each child's unique strengths, needs and aspirations. They provide additional opportunities and experiences for a set number of pupils throughout the school. Each child has a Link Worker who works with them throughout the two years. Alongside this, children have the opportunity to work with various external partners on a termly basis.
Education Mental Health Practitioner Service (MIND) - The school’s Education Mental Health Practitioner is available to support children and parents. This service offers up to 8 weekly sessions of low intensity CBT for students, weekly telephone drop-ins for parents to have a chat and explore any difficulties your child may be having, and workshops on topics such as managing anxiety.
Parent Gym - a series of six sessions proven to increase parents’ skills and confidence and so improve the behaviour and wellbeing of their children. This programme has been designed by leading psychologists and is suitable for parents of children aged 2-11. The sessions are highly interactive and participative.
Place2Be - helps children 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.
We also have qualified Mental Health Fist Aiders and staff receive training in mental health.
Physical activity
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.