We are committed to a whole-school approach to health and wellbeing. Through our work with the Leeds Healthy Schools programme, we continue to develop our provision across PSHE, school food, healthy lifestyles and social, emotional and mental health.

Our aim is to ensure that health and wellbeing are part of everyday school life and that children develop positive habits that they can carry with them into the future.

Our Healthy Schools Strengths

Following our Healthy Schools assessment, St Nicholas was delighted to maintain Healthy Schools Status. The assessment recognised our strong whole-school commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of pupils, families and staff.

Personal, Social and Health Education

Our PSHE curriculum helps children develop the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy choices, understand themselves and others, stay safe and prepare for the future. PSHE is closely linked to our Catholic virtues and is enriched through visitors, themed events and opportunities for pupil leadership.

Healthy Eating

Children learn about healthy eating, balanced diets and food preparation through the curriculum and practical cooking experiences. Our school meals provide a varied range of healthy choices and meet the National School Food Standards. School Food Ambassadors also give pupils a voice in developing our food provision.

Physical Activity

Children have access to a broad PE curriculum, extra-curricular clubs, competitions and active play opportunities. All pupils receive two hours of timetabled PE, with further opportunities through clubs, sports leadership, residentials, active travel and special sporting events.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Supporting children's emotional wellbeing is at the heart of school life. Children learn how to understand and talk about their feelings, seek help and support one another. Additional support is available through services including Catholic Care, nurture provision and play therapy when needed.

What Our Children Say:

“In our world, everyone can be part of everything, no one should be left out.”

“PSHE helps us learn that you don’t have to copy people, you can be your true self.”

“In this school you feel welcome and safe. There is always someone to help and encourage you.”

“I love PE and all the different competitions and after school clubs that we have.”

“Everyone knows that it’s ok to talk about your feelings.”

“We are a school family, and we like each other.”

These comments were shared by pupils during our Healthy Schools assessment visit.

 

We work alongside the HENRY programme in Leeds, which supports families to build healthy and positive lifestyles together.

The HENRY 5–12 programme explores practical areas such as healthy eating, portion sizes, mealtimes, physical activity, children’s wellbeing, family routines and sleep. Our school has also identified healthy eating on a budget as an important area of support for families.

Through HENRY, families can access practical ideas, guidance and support to help make healthy choices and develop positive routines at home.

 

We want lunchtime to be a positive, social and healthy part of the school day. Children are encouraged to enjoy a balanced and nutritious lunch, try a range of foods and develop positive attitudes towards eating well.

We promote healthy eating consistently through school meals, lunchtime routines and regular communication with families.

Our older pupils have opportunities to become lunchtime helpers and dining room monitors, supporting younger children, encouraging water, promoting healthy choices and modelling positive dining behaviours. These roles also help to develop responsibility, kindness and positive relationships across school.

Our work around food education is supported by School Food Matters, a charity which works with schools to improve children’s understanding of food and promote nutritious school food and food education.

Through practical food activities, children learn where food comes from, explore new ingredients, develop cooking skills and understand how food choices contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

Children also take part in a range of practical cooking experiences, including School Food Matters activities and culturally diverse cooking opportunities, helping to build confidence, curiosity and appreciation of different foods and cultures.

We work with Catholic Care to provide additional wellbeing support for children and families.

Pupils are supported to develop positive attitudes towards healthy choices, wellbeing and looking after themselves, while families can access nutrition workshops offering practical guidance around healthy eating and everyday wellbeing.

We believe children should have a voice in making St Nicholas a healthier and happier place.

Children are given opportunities to apply for special wellbeing roles and responsibilities across school. These roles allow pupils to develop leadership skills, share ideas and encourage others to make positive choices.

Roles include our School Food Ambassadors, who help us to gather pupil views about school food, promote healthy choices and contribute ideas about how we can continue to improve our lunchtime experience.

By giving children meaningful responsibilities, we help them understand that everyone can play a part in creating a healthy, happy and supportive school community.