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Torbay School Staff Learn About Health and Physical Activity

HEAD Teachers and staff from schools in Torbay were treated to an informative and inspiring day focusing on health and physical activity at the Riviera International Centre in Torquay.

With rising levels of childhood obesity, increased periods of inactivity amongst children and an ever increasing pressure on schools to do more and more, the event provided the delegates with up to date statistics, strategies and ideas through good practice examples and lots of opportunities to network with colleagues from across Torbay. The event sought to raise awareness of the link between pupil health and well-being and pupil attainment.

Torbay Council Public Health, Russ Moody from Public Health England and Chris Wright, Head of Health and Wellbeing from the Youth Sport Trust, met with head teachers in the morning and then delivered keynote speeches outlining the landscape, opportunities and responsibilities for schools with regard to health and well-being, following the Government’s recent Comprehensive Spending Review.

Torbay Council Public Health, Active Devon, Paignton Community and Sports Academy and other local schools through support from the Torbay Teaching School Alliance gave a local focus to the many key topics that were addressed through interactive workshops in the afternoon.

Deputy Mayor and Executive Lead for Health and Wellbeing and Corporate Services, Councillor Derek Mills, said: “It is wonderful that this event could raise the profile of the importance of pupil health and well-being, an important factor in keeping the bays children healthy and to avoid problems such as obesity and diabetes. This event presented opportunities to schools and agencies to improve physical activity and nutrition through various means looking at past resources and trials so to improve our local understanding and practice.”

The day ended with an awards ceremony to celebrate eight Torbay primary schools; Barton Hill, Hayes, Ilsham, Shiphay, St. Margaret Clitherow, Torre, Upton St. James and White Rock, who had achieved, with support from Travel Torbay at Torbay Council, national accreditation for active and sustainable travel programmes in their schools.

One of the organisers, John Julyan, from Paignton Community and Sports Academy, said:

“We are grateful to all of the schools that were able to attend the event for their passion, commitment and professionalism to want to make a positive difference to the children in Torbay; and pave the way for future generations to lead happier, healthier and more active lives.

“I was delighted with the number of local organisations as well as teachers who agreed to lead workshops and network sessions. The knowledge and experience that we have in our schools and across the Bay is tremendous and based upon what was observed on the day, the people who attended these sessions were inspired, challenged and left with a much better understanding and vision to move things forward in their schools.”