This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Public Health Programme Officer, Timothy Howells, for the attention of Secondary School Headteachers.
We hope plans are coming along well for your summer break. We thought we would give you an update on your incoming cohort of pupils from Slough primary schools. As you are well aware, Year 6s will be preparing to begin their secondary school education as of September. For many it can be a difficult time as they adjust to new surrounding and different teaching environment.
This year will see an additional adjustment. Over 22 primary schools in the borough have been undertaking the Active Movement programme. It is a new health initiative that integrates non-sedentary behaviour and low-level activity into the daily routine of every child throughout the school. A range of options, strategies and events are co-ordinated into a 12-month programme that has been extremely effective in educating and inspiring children to sit less and move more. The results on engagement, activity levels, behaviour, emotional well-being and attainment have been outstanding.
Many Year 6s have commented on a potential worry that they will not only be unable to continue to be ‘active’ in class, but will not want to give up this new school behaviour that they find empowering and enjoyable.
We are therefore writing to make you aware of this so you can pass this on to your teachers – or even give you an opportunity to integrate some of the programme into your own class routine.
We have already tested the programme at Eden Girls (Case Study attached which you will have already received in hard copy) and we are now looking at funding all secondary schools to access the programme as of September 2020.
You will find more information at www.activemovementschool.co.uk – but please feel free to contact either:
Timothy Howell - E-mail:Timothy.howell@slough.gov.uk, Public Health Programme Officer
Peter Savage - E-mail: peter@activemovement.co.uk, Active Movement Director or phone 0189 798843.