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 Victoria Academy we value the importance of meal times. We are committed to provide a healthy and nutritious meal for every child alongside the experience of eating meals in a small group alongside adults. We have an onsite kitchen where all our meals are cooked fresh each day.
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
“Around 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem this year yet the shame and silence can be as bad as the mental health problem itself. Your attitude to mental health could change someone’s life.” (Time to Change)
10% of children and young people aged 5 to 16 suffer from a diagnosed mental health disorder (Office of National Statistics. Mental Health of children and young people in Great Britain. 2004)
These are just some of the facts that really hit home! We at Ark Victoria Academy want all our pupils to have the best support and care available. All our staff aim to ensure that we take care of the wellbeing and the academic achievements of our pupils.
In school we have Student Support managers that are trained in the skills needed to listen and guide pupils that may need social, emotional or mental health support.
There are 2 post-boxes placed for pupils to post any concerns they may have within school. Pupils can find these in Oldknow library and outside the school nurse’s office in the Talbot Building. The Student Support managers will deal with any concerns on a daily basis or signpost pupils and their families to appropriate professionals who can support them.
Our school is committed to supporting children in managing their mental health, if you are concerned about your child mental health please contact the school and ask to speak to Mrs Kumar in primary or Miss Foster in Secondary.
Physical activity
At Ark Victoria we know that we have central role to play in supporting our pupils to live healthy, active lives. This begins in our primary phase where the foundations of positive and enjoyable participation in regular physical activity are established.
Throughout the school, our high-quality PE provision is taught by confident and knowledgeable teachers. We offer our pupils opportunities to experience and participate in a wide range of sports and physical activities both in lessons and through a wide range of extra-curricular clubs. Lessons are designed to raise 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.
Student Wellbeing
Early help newsletter
We work closely with the Yardley Early Help Team. They have put together a newsletter of summer activities, resources, and support throughout the summer holidays.
There's information on places to go, places to eat, and support for families that may need that extra way to support their children or themselves.
Please feel free to access all the information in the newsletter HERE
Birmingham Children’s Partnership - Emergency and ongoing help for Birmingham
The Birmingham Children’s Partnership wants to ensure that any family in Birmingham which needs help is aware of how to find it quickly and easily. The attached is a list of information on where to get help including:
• Emergency Food Assistance
• Mental Health Support
• Financial Assistance
• Domestic Abuse
• Early Help
Bring it on Brum
Bring it on Brum! is a programme for families in Birmingham to help children, young people and their parents have fulfilling, active, fun-filled and healthy school holidays. Part of the new Holiday Activities and Food programmes, Bring it on Brum! is the biggest scheme of its kind in the country.
More Helpful sites
The Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH) is an award-winning registered charity which provides pioneering faith and culturally sensitive services to Muslim youth in the UK.
The Papyrus guide has been developed to support teachers and non-teaching staff to build a Suicide-Safer school or college.
Rapha has been set up by Bethel Health and Healing Network so that people suffering low level mental health problems can have someone local to talk to in confidence about whatever is on their minds and have someone sincerely listen. Listen in a way which is not judgmental and by someone who has been professionally trained to hear and understand.
The Mix is A free, confidential telephone helpline and online service that aims to find you the best help, whatever the problem.
Give Us a Shout Provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone struggling to cope. They can help with issues including suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, abuse, self-harm, relationship problems and bullying. Text "Shout" to 85258 to speak to an empathetic, trained volunteer who will listen and work with you to solve problems.
If you're under 19, you can also call Childline on 0800 1111. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) is a national charity with a social purpose to inform, educate, safeguard and build digital resilience amongst young and vulnerable people. Helping them to make informed decisions and understand the consequences around gambling and gaming.
Cherished UK Provides a nurturing, accepting, confidential space for girls to build positive attachment and explore their emotions.
Forward Thinking Birmingham Stick Team - Do you have concerns about a child or young person’s mental health? If they are currently not receiving support from Forward Thinking Birmingham and are not in crisis, please consider booking a consultation with a clinician from our STICK team. The STICK team can offer support, guidance and signposting to organisations who can provide support.
Below are some useful websites most have free resources to support parents/carers and practitioners in guiding children’s safety online.
- www.saferinternet.org.uk: UK Safer Internet has many free resources to support the age 3-7 age group including a video of “digiduck” who believes what he read on the internet and got his homework wrong- it gives advice on how to check facts.
- www.nspcc.org.uk: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children also has resources for safeguarding children online- did you know that Instagram was the most used platform in child grooming crimes during lockdown April-June 2020?
- https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre also has useful free resources.
- https://www.childnet.com/ Childnet has useful free resources for parents and children.
- https://www.skipseducational.org/safety-net/ Buy into a package of training support for staff and parents to help the support their children online.