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Achievement for All St Joseph s Boys School Health Education Policy Reviewed _______________ Date ___________ Agreed SMT _______________ Principal Date ___________ Agreed BOG _______________ Date ___________

St Joseph s Boys School Achievement for All Health Education Policy Rationale 1 1 This policy document was implemented as result of staff concerns in relation to the need for a health conscious attitude among the young male population at the school It was recognised that part of the education of the whole person should include a health education program to enable the pupil to make informed choices that may influence his future health and well being This policy document will attempt to outline how we hope to achieve this aim Aims and Objectives 2 1 Health in the Context of Personal Development Personal development Physical fitness recreation and relaxation Nutrition Use of and problems related to drugs and other potentially harmful substances 2 2 Health in the Context of Social Development Relationships within the family Relationships with peers Relationships with others 2 3 Health in Relation to the Environment Personal safety in the environment A healthy environment 2 4 Key Stages 3 and 4 The educational community has become increasingly aware of its role in helping pupils to develop a healthy lifestyle There is a growing realisation that health education in the classroom cannot be totally effective unless it is reinforced within the wider school environment to this end the concept of a health promoting school has considerable significance The health promoting school is one in which the Board of Governors staff and relevant agencies work together in a planned way to promote the health of everyone in the school A health promoting school aims to Achieve an environment which promotes the health and well being of all staff and pupils Provide a coherent health education curriculum which complies with statutory requirements and is accessible to all pupils

3 1 Ensure that all aspects of school life are complementary to the positive health messages promoted in the classroom Encourage the active involvement of parents community and health service agencies to advise support and contribute to the promotion of good health This overview of the Health Education theme aims to assist teachers to identify opportunities to address the objectives of the theme where appropriate as an integral part of their teaching Objective 1 Health in the context of personal development Objective 2 Health in the context of social development Objective 3 Health in relation to the environment Health Education includes all those planned or incidental learning opportunities which can be used to develop behaviour which is conducive to good health Responsible attitudes and the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions in matters relating to health are the intended outcomes of health education in the curriculum There are two dimensions to health education Attitudes values clarification and interpersonal skills Knowledge understanding and cognitive skills Teachers should take account of both dimensions in encouraging the development of healthy lifestyles 3 1 1 Objective 1 Health in the Context of Personal Development Personal Development Pupils should develop physically to their fullest potential They should develop a positive self image and self confidence They should understand the stages involved and the factors which govern physical and emotional growth This involves helping pupils to Extend their knowledge of the basic life processes of living organisms and the basic functions of the major organ systems of the human body Develop a sense of personal achievement through responsibility self discipline motivation and perseverance Begin to develop personal preferences and strengths Consider their own behaviour attitudes and values in relation to Making choices and the consequences of their actions Understand the physical and emotional changes which take place during adolescence Consider health issues related to sexuality and the need for a responsible attitude to sexual behaviour Discuss and seek guidance about anxieties associated with adolescence Consider the processes of human conception and birth and the needs of young children in the early stages of their development

Physical fitness recreation and relaxation Pupils should achieve and maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness They should understand the role of recreation and the value of relaxation This involves helping the pupils to Develop an understanding of the short and long term effects of exercise on the body Acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of the skills of and fitness requirements for specific activities Realise the importance of and participate in regular exercise Understand the need for and practise personal hygiene after exercise Consider the problems arising from the lack of fitness Nutrition Pupils should be able to make responsible decisions about their diet They should know and understand the contribution of food to growth energy and health This involves helping pupils to Consider the links between diet and health taking account of current dietary recommendations Learn about the structure and functions of the parts of the human digestive system Learn about the diet required to maintain a healthy body including a balanced diet the relationship between health diet and heart disease the difference between malnutrition and starvation and dental care Relationships between diet fitness and circulatory disorders Use of and problems related to drugs and other potentially harmful substances Pupils should develop their knowledge and understanding of the use misuse risks and effects of drugs and other potentially harmful substances They should develop a critical awareness of the relevant personal social and economic implications This involves helping the pupils to Examine factual information about legal and illegal drugs there effects on the body and the associated health risks Identify and understand the pressures and influence on themselves to take drugs Acquire the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about the use of drugs Practice safety procedures when using medicines and other substances Consider the impact of the media and advertising on young people s thinking Consider the personal social emotional financial biological and psychological effects of drug misuse

3 1 2 Objective 2 Health in the Context of Social Development Relationships within the family Pupils should be able to make a positive contribution to the life of the family unit based on their knowledge and understanding of the concept of family This involves helping pupils to Explore the changing roles and responsibilities within the family associated with the increasing autonomy of the individual Explore the factors which lead to conflict in the family and develop strategies to resolve the conflict Discuss crises such as illness bereavement separation Consider the role of the family in relation to it s contribution to the stability of society Relationships with peers Pupils should be able to manage relationships with peers in a variety of situations This involves helping pupils to Consider the skills involved in initiating maintaining and ending friendships with members of the same and of the opposite sex Develop realistic and responsible attitudes towards relationships with peers Consider the impact on relationships of peer influences and pressure and peer support Practise decision making and assertiveness skills in situations where peers are involved Relationships with others Pupils should understand the nature of relationships with others and as they mature be able to establish responsible relationships within a widening community This involves helping pupils to Explore the increasing complexity of interpersonal relationships within the school environment and the wider community Consider how interpersonal relationships relate to health issues such as smoking alcohol drugs and sexually transmitted diseases Develop realistic and responsible attitudes towards the responsibilities of adult life 3 1 3 Objective 3 Health in Relation to the Environment Personal safety in the environment Pupils should be able to cope safely and efficiently with their environment This involves helping pupils to Become aware of and apply health and safety rules in school Consider the safety factors relating to the choice and use of materials fuels tools and practices Consider and develop the skills to deal with threats to personal safety Know where advice and support is available within the local community Consider safety measures and features essential to safe home and work environments

A healthy environment Pupils should understand what is meant by a healthy environment and their responsibility in maintaining and improving it This involves helping pupils to Consider the major causes and consequences of pollution and their effects on health at local national and global levels Consider how social conditions can affect health and well being Consider factors which affect health in the community and make suggestions for improvement This policy has been determined by Board of Governors which may approve revisions from time to time This policy was agreed on 10 June 2010 and will be reviewed three years hence SMT PRINCIPAL _______________________ BOG Chairman _______________________