London OC Islington

Preventing childhood obesity in IslingtonAs part of the Healthy Schools Programme and within the school: 

Preventing childhood obesity in Islington As part of the Healthy Schools Programme and within the school Marjon Willers Simon Evans Simone Jalal

Overview: 

Overview Public health figures for Islington Physical activity intervention in a school Physical activity coordinator at the school Children at the school The role of the physical activity coordinator within the Healthy Schools Team Diet and nutrition intervention Next steps

Islington Public Health Figures: 

Islington Public Health Figures Islington is ranked the 6th most deprived borough in England and the 3rd most deprived in London Life Expectancy in 2002-03 was 73.9 for males and 79.3 years for females (London 76.5 and 81.1 years resp.) Average FSME is 42.5% but ranges between 8.8% and 69% Highest figure for obesity and overweight: For Reception: 38.6% For Year 6: 50.0%

Levels of obesity in Islington based on figures from weighing and measuring in primary schools in summer 2006: 

Levels of obesity in Islington based on figures from weighing and measuring in primary schools in summer 2006

Simon EvansP.E. Teacher and Physical Activity Co-ordinator for Healthy Schools Simone and Jalal Year 5 and year 6 pupils: 

Simon Evans P.E. Teacher and Physical Activity Co-ordinator for Healthy Schools Simone and Jalal Year 5 and year 6 pupils

Pooles Park SchoolLarge primary school in Finsbury Park, Islington with 330 pupils on the roll (Nursery, Reception, Key Stages 1 and 2);Over 75 % ethnic minorities in the student body;68 % speak English as an additional language (EAL) at home;High mobility – last year 55 pupils joined the school, 61 left. This is approximately 1/5 of the school population61 % of pupils on free school meals – this is above the national average;Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is above the national average.: 

Pooles Park School Large primary school in Finsbury Park, Islington with 330 pupils on the roll (Nursery, Reception, Key Stages 1 and 2); Over 75 % ethnic minorities in the student body; 68 % speak English as an additional language (EAL) at home; High mobility – last year 55 pupils joined the school, 61 left. This is approximately 1/5 of the school population 61 % of pupils on free school meals – this is above the national average; Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is above the national average.

Why has physical activity got such a high profile at the school ?: 

Why has physical activity got such a high profile at the school ? Raise academic achievement High level of socio-economic difficulties Lifelong skills that are taught and can be taken forwards in the future

Developing and Emerging Roles: 

Developing and Emerging Roles SCHOOL More specialist roles P.E.Specialists Pastoral Care Manager Extended School Co-ordinator HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROGRAMME Increased funding Engaging parents/carers and families Linking agencies together Addressing barriers to participation in creative ways

Opportunities for Physical Activity: 

Opportunities for Physical Activity Before and After School Clubs Lunchtime Clubs Structured play during Break and Lunchtime Play P.E. Lessons Local partnerships beyond the school day

Diet and Nutrition strand : 

Diet and Nutrition strand Work with school council to promote uptake of healthier choices at lunchtimes Training for cooks and lunchtime supervisors to promote healthier lunchtime choices Water provision Provision of cooking equipment Training in practical cooking, diet and nutrition and food safety for teaching staff Whole school food policy Recipe book

Results: 

Results The outcome of the school council training was varied including some positive results Training of cooks and lunchtime supervisors had mixed results. Training of lunchtime supervisors remains our responsibility Water consumption improved together with behaviour and concentration levels Most successful element was the cooking workshops both for teachers and children WSFP template and format has been developed Recipe book to be extended and reprinted

Next steps: 

Next steps Cookery and healthy eating consultant Identified schools with highest need depending on: FSME Superoutput area for primary and multilevel deprivation index for secondary Overweight and obesity figures for primary schools Water provision survey of all schools in Islington carried out by SHA Cooking survey

Support offered: 

Support offered Cookery and healthy eating consultant To boost teachers' confidence To implement Arsenal healthy living module in secondary schools To work with parents (in partnerships with others) Support offered to high need schools dependent on needs identified by the school community Improve water access Provide cooking equipment for schools and artefacts library Methodology to increase cooking in schools