Health and Wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing

Our children’s health and wellbeing is of paramount importance and this area of the curriculum ‘underpins’ and provides a foundation for all other areas of learning.

https://education.gov.scot/parentzone/learning-in-scotland/curriculum-areas/health-and-wellbeing/

In learning in this area, our children tackle a wide range of subjects such as personal health and safety, drug and alcohol abuse, road safety, ‘bully-proofing’ and keeping healthy. Partner agencies such as the School Nurse and our Community Police Officer are invited to school to help support the education of our children in this area.

Personal and Social Development

This area of the curriculum is concerned with educating our children to cope with life and its ever changing nature. It is a vital area of learning and teaching and the work we do in this area not only helps our pupils deal with difficult situations, but also helps to create young, relaxed and confident learners. We have a comprehensive and progressive programme in place, which focuses on developing skills such as independence, interdependence, self-awareness and self-confidence.

A range of strategies/ opportunities for learning are used, including Circle Time and lessons draw upon useful resources including, for example, Emotion Works, Skills for the Primary School Child, Creating a Confident School, Quality Circle Time and Cool in School.

Our School Values are also a vital aspect of learning and a recurring theme across all areas:

Honesty

Respect

Friendship

Kindness

Inclusivity

Determination

As a school community, these values were agreed through a process of development involving a wide range of stakeholders which culminated in an event involving over 60 children and adults. Our School Values are also a focus at a range of whole school events, including assemblies and our House System.

Giffnock Primary’s House System

Physical Education

All pupils have a minimum of two hours of P.E. per week. In Nursery this is a daily experience, taking place mainly outdoors. Primary 1 to 7 have a range of opportunities to develop physical skills, encourage confidence and co-operation with others and to foster a positive attitude to health and fitness. All of our children also take part in the ‘Daily Mile’ initiative, involving about 15 minutes of daily, continuous fast walking/ jogging/ running, depending on the developing capabilities of the individual.

Teachers draw upon East Renfrewshire Council’s Active 8 programme, including other aspects such as fitness. This programme provides the children with the opportunity to develop specific and varied skills. In conjunction with our Active Schools partners, the school also offers a very wide range of extra-curricular activities such as Football, Netball, Bollywood Dancing and Archery. There are also non-physical clubs such as Film Club, Coding and Guitar.

Giffnock Nursery and Primary Health and Wellbeing through PE

Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood

Relationships, Sexual Health & Parenthood (RSHP) is an important aspect of our existing Health & Wellbeing curriculum and is part of all of our children’s learning activities. We have worked alongside with our Parent Council to put together summary parent leaflets for each primary year. We hope that you find these both informative and useful:

RSHP Nursery Parent Information Leaflet

RSHP Primary 1 Parent Information Leaflet

RSHP Primary 2 Parent Information Leaflet

RSHP Primary 3 Parent Information Leaflet

RSHP Primary 4 Parent Information Leaflet

RSHP Primary 5 Parent Information Leaflet

RSHP Primary 6 Parent Information Leaflet

RSHP Primary 7 Parent Information Leaflet

Sleep

The Sound Sleep programme from Sleep Scotland is used in Giffnock Primary to support the transition of our Primary 7 pupils to secondary school. The lessons are used as part of the Health and Wellbeing curriculum and aim to develop a greater awareness of the importance of sleep as well as encouraging good sleep habits.

SleepScotland

Giffnock Primary Sound Sleep

Food, Diet and Healthy Eating

Food Technologies

We have significantly extended the range of experiences our children enjoy across the school from our Nursery Class to Primary 7. Across the school, our children develop their understanding and practical skills around food preparation and diet. A range of parents and carers who have undergone appropriate training are also supporting these experiences throughout the school year and in connection with a range of class themes and contexts for learning. Our Wellness Committee also help to lead a range of whole school learning in this area.

Emotion Works

Health and Wellbeing

This area of the curriculum is concerned with supporting our children to understand their own wellbeing and to make informed, positive choices about their own health. In our Health curriculum pupils learn about:- physical education, food and health, substance misuse, relationships, sexual health and parenthood, social and life skills. These are dependent on the age, development and maturity of each individual child. Across our school we use Emotion Works to support us in the emotional development of our children.