What is the schools prevention programme?
The schools prevention strand aims to reduce inequalities amongst school aged children, by increasing awareness and knowledge and by improving attitudes in relation to children’s weight, food and fitness in order to help promote healthy behaviour, prevent obesity and reduce the risk of Cardio Vascular Disease through a targeted teacher and pupil training programme.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) resources which encourage healthy behaviours will be utilised within schools as part of the curriculum to achieve this aim. The BHF resources which we aim to introduce to all schools across Torfaen over the 3 year period will include the following programmes:
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Heart Start
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Jump Rope for Heart
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Ultimate Dodge ball
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Artie Beats & Artie’s Olympics
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Active Club
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The Big Food Challenge
What do the BHF resources teach?
Heart Start UK - is a BHF initiative to teach children and adults what to do in a life threatening emergency. The Heartstart schools programme provides an opportunity for pupils to learn simple emergency life support skills. The Heartstart training pack is only available to schools affiliated to Heartstart.
Jump Rope for Heart - Is a popular skipping programme that encourages children to get active and also raise money for their school, as well as the nation’s heart charity. After registration schools receive a free kit (worth over £100) containing skipping ropes and a comprehensive teacher’s resource pack. The school retains 20% of the proceeds raised to spend on whatever they want.
Ultimate Dodegball - is the BHF’s newest fundraising programme, which encourages children to get active and have fun at the same time. A free fundraising pack containing three dodge balls is available to all registering schools and children’s groups. It will help teachers and group leaders to introduce Ultimate Dodgeball to their children, along with practical tips on how to hold an Ultimate Dodgeball tournament. The school or children’s group retains 20% of the proceeds raised to spend on whatever they want.
Artie Beats - is the BHF’s mascot who stars in resources for children to deliver healthy lifestyle messages. Resources include, "online" activities, Artie Beat club whereby the children receive a regular newsletter and other goodies, educational books which cover curriculum subjects and much more!
Arties Olympics - Arties Olympics is a popular activity-based scheme encouraging children to get active and have fun, while raising funds for their school, nursery, group and the nation’s heart charity. This scheme is suitable for nursery and infant’s schools, Rainbow Guides and Beaver Scouts, and any other group that works with children under eight years-old. To help organise the event, gold medal stickers, laurel crowns and a great organiser’s guide are provided. The school, nursery or group retains 20% of the proceeds raised to spend on whatever they want.
Active Club - The Active club pack contains a wealth of physical activity ideas for in-school & out-of-school settings.
The Big Food Challenge - Healthy eating and a balanced diet has never been so much fun. This exciting pack is filled with games and takes learning through play to a new dimension. Teacher’s notes give clear instructions and creative ideas for using different elements of the pack. They also identify links to the Welsh curriculum. The variety of activities means that the pack can be used across the 7 -14yrs age and ability range.
How will the School Prevention Strand work?
There are two Hearty Lives Torfaen Development Workers who are employed by Torfaen County Borough Council who will work with Comprehensive Schools and their feeder Primary Schools to identify the best possible way of linking the BHF resources to their curriculum delivery. The BHF resources will compliment the curriculum delivery within schools and also support the PSE and Healthy Schools agenda.
Further Information
If you require any further information regarding the Schools Prevention Strand of the Hearty Lives Torfaen Programme or would like to know more about the BHF resources, you can contact us in the following way:
Post: Torfaen County Borough Council
Health Improvement Team
Floor 5
Civic Centre
Pontypool
NP4 6YB
Tel: 01495 742483
Email: heartylivestorfaen@torfaen.gov.uk|