Healthy Schools & HENRY Programme

At St Nicholas, we believe that being healthy is about much more than what we eat. We want our children to develop the knowledge, confidence and positive habits they need to look after their physical health, emotional wellbeing and each other.

Across school, we provide a range of opportunities that help children and families make healthy choices, learn about food and nutrition, stay active and take an active role in creating a happy and healthy school community.

Healthy Schools

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.

HENRY – Healthy Families

We work alongside the HENRY programme in Leeds, which provides support for families around healthy lifestyles and positive family life.

The HENRY 5–12 programme explores areas including healthy eating, portion sizes, mealtimes, physical activity, children's wellbeing and building confidence as a family.

Through these opportunities, we can help families access practical ideas and support to make healthy choices together.

Healthy Food and School Lunches

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.

Our older pupils also have opportunities to become lunchtime helpers, supporting and encouraging younger children during lunchtime. This helps to develop responsibility, kindness and positive relationships across school.

School Food Matters

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 food-focused activities, children have opportunities to learn where food comes from, explore new ingredients, develop practical skills and understand how the choices we make can contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

Nutrition with Catholic Care

We work with Catholic Care to provide additional wellbeing opportunities for our children.

Nutrition sessions give pupils opportunities to learn more about healthy food choices, balanced diets and looking after their bodies, while developing practical knowledge they can use in everyday life.

Pupil Wellbeing Roles

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.