Criteria

Evidence

1: Clear Statement of Health Promoting Aims of the School

• Health promoting statement embedded in the school aims

The school aims to create an ethos of achievement by fostering good relations between pupils, parents and staff and �promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle to all learners and to the learning community�.

• Policy and documentation which demonstrates a coherent strategy towards health promotion

The school health programme and policies are detailed and comprehensive. The strategies towards health education and promotion are also clearly described and reviewed in the Development Plan (Review Project 2).

2: Development of Good Relations within School & Active Promotion of Self-Esteem of Whole School Community

• An effective pupil council

The Pupil Council (P3-7) is a knowledgeable group of young people who are clear in their purpose and keen to talk about their role �in helping to make Hillhead a better place�. They have just announced the winners of a �Harvest Fruit� competition organised by themselves; prizes were presented at a whole school assembly.

• Specific strategies promoted and monitored in Ethos and Learning and Teaching policies and guidelines.

The promotion of good citizenship and a supportive, caring attitude towards others permeates the whole school with pupils having responsibilities such as buddies and helping around the school; job descriptions are just being written for some new responsibilities. Anti-bullying, Positive Behaviour, Multi-Cultural and Anti-Racism policies promote understanding and respect while Circle Time, PSE and Golden Time are used to re-enforce individual responsibility and caring for others. The �cloudy sun� is used in P1-3 to promote positive behaviour. The individual �Home from Hillhead Books� are very informative and contain useful reminders for parents on the part they can play in their child�s education as well as keeping them informed on what the child is doing in school. The participation of staff in whole school competitions such as the holiday photo competition with the Hliihead newsletter gives further encouragement to pupils. Special events such as the P7 leavers� Party, with outstanding and attractively presented catering by the School Chef, help to strengthen affinity with the school and contribute enormously to the positive and stimulating ethos.

• Achievement rewards systems which recognise diverse forms of achievement and are valued by recipients.

A diverse range of achievements both within and outwith the school are recognised and celebrated by extensive displays of photographs, examples of good work and certificates. Certificates and stickers are awarded regularly for achievements in music, and sport as well as classroom effort. Star Writer badges and personalised bronze, silver and gold book-marks are awarded and highly valued by the pupils. Very good use is made of the local press and the plasma screen in school to celebrate success.

• Supportive programmes for individuals and /or groups with particular needs.

The school is fully accessible to pupils with physical disabilities. Support for Learning staff, working in co-operation with class teachers enable access to the curriculum for those with learning difficulties; IEP�s are drawn up as required and multi-disciplinary SLG�s held each term.

3: Development of Good Relations with Home & Community

• Effective parental consultation arrangements

Parent representatives spoke very highly about the quality of consultation arrangements. In addition to the formal contact evenings, parents frequently consulted on specific issues; they felt that the school had a welcoming atmosphere. There is parental involvement in a School Board and Parent Teacher Association events. The school is well supported by parental involvement in activities for the children and parent helpers have various voluntary duties in the school.

�         Regular communication

Monthly newsletters, advice leaflets, school brochure, posters and class newsletters are all used to keep parents informed. The home/school link is further enhanced by the �Hillhead to Home� books taken home on a daily basis. The Caithnes.org hosts the school website.

• High quality Pupil reports

The school uses the HC format to provide informative reports and provides good opportunities for parents to discuss their children�s progress at Parents� evenings and open afternoons.

The school has very good links with the wider community e.g. community participation in school events, pupils performing at Seaview Nursing Home and the Salvation Army; P7 are currently involved in a community project to design new iron gates for the harbour area; impressive sketch works showed the pupils are developing skills and also knowledge about their local environment, history and culture.

4: Provision of a Wide Range of Stimulating Challenges for All Pupils

• Physical and mental challenge in the curriculum

The school provides a wide range of physical and mental challenge in the curriculum with learning and teaching approaches providing a varied and stimulating learning environment. Pupils have individual targets appropriate to their needs and are taught in �similar ability� groupings with support provided as required. Peer group support is encouraged. Opportunities to widen educational experience are provided e.g. by the Science Festival and by visiting teachers, music tutors from Feis Ross and involvement in a community art project. The portfolio illustrates the wide range of visits the pupils can participate in e.g. local trips as well as residential visits to York; their success in competitions in the creative arts e.g. Caithness Music Festival and in a wide variety of sports are very well illustrated by a colourful selection of photographs.

• High quality interaction in the classroom, playground and elsewhere, involving physical and mental activity and play

All classes were visited and in each a high quality of learning and teaching was observed. Pupils were highly involved in their work and talked positively about what they were doing; they also explained and clearly valued the various ways in which their efforts and achievement are recognised. Visiting staff for art, music and PE complement the work of the highly committed and imaginative school staff. Very good use is made of ICT to enhance the pupils� learning experiences.

• After school clubs and activities proven to meet pupil needs and interests

A wide range of after-school and lunchtime activities is offered to the pupils; both parents and pupils spoke enthusiastically about the choices available, activities include sports, chess, craft, French and drama.

5: Use of Every Opportunity to Improve the Physical Environment of the School

• Provision to enable equal access and opportunity for pupils with special needs and disabilities

All areas of the school are accessible to pupils with physical disabilities. Access to the curriculum for those with learning difficulties is ensured through good planning and teamwork of class teachers and support staff.

• Provision of a safe, attractive environment including staff and pupils social areas with facilities.

The accommodation and facilities provide a safe and attractive environment; the school community has worked closely together to enhance the appearance of the building with impressive displays of pupils� work decorating every area. The displays e.g. �the large scale fruit wall� help create a warm and welcoming feeling as does the excellent use of photographs and the plasma screen; displays change regularly and often follow a whole school theme; the library provides an attractive multi purpose facility. The heating system was recently upgraded and work is being carried out to replace all windows. Staff facilities are also good. The school has extensive play areas and funding has just been awarded to develop an area known as �the Square�; a local artist and landscape gardener will help to develop the space while the overseas link schools in countries such as China and India will be contacted and hand prints from there incorporated into the design by a local craftsman. New basketball stands are to be installed in two areas of the playground. Pupils are encouraged to take a pride in the school environment and they are happy that their ideas are used.

6: Partnership Planning and Delivery of a Coherent Health Promotion Strategy

• PSE and cross curricular programmes fulfil national requirements.

The PSE programme, based on the Highland Council programme, fully meets national guidelines. In addition, PSE permeates the curriculum throughout the school with many opportunities for pupils to take responsibility and to develop good citizenship.

• Programmes take account of local needs to support pupils achieve personal health targets

The forward plans for health, technology, science and environmental studies all contribute to a broad and balanced curriculum addressing health issues and direct pupils towards a healthy lifestyle. Pupils have individual learning targets and a good awareness of the value of healthy eating and exercise. Opportunities for exercise include regular PE, swimming and events organised by Active Schools� Co-ordinator.

• Developmental groups include pupils, parents and partner professionals

The school includes representatives from all sections in its development groups School Board, PTA, Pupil Council, and brings in partner professionals as required e.g. at SLG meetings.

• School has effective links with key groups

Well-developed links with community and partner agencies are in place; these include links with the secondary school, local authority and statutory agencies, including a range of medical services. The school nurse, dental hygienist, police liaison officer and HC ranger all visit the school, while links with local industries, heritage centre and other arts facilities also in place. Cultural, sports and arts co-ordinators also widen pupils� experiences. 

7: Systematic Arrangements for Assessment that Involve

 Pupils Reviewing their Health Education Needs & Their Levels of Understanding

• Health review  built-in to regular guidance/PSE interviews

Health topics include pupils recording healthy tuck; �recipes for friendship� and awareness of differences. The excellent interclass competition for the �big banana� has encouraged a very large uptake of fruit eating amongst the children, who are very keen to win the prize for their class.

• Assessment arrangements provide good quality feedback to pupils parents and teachers

A range of formal and informal assessments are used to keep the pupils and parents well informed of progress; target setting and tracking have been introduced. Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and carry out self-assessment.  Each pupil has a folder in which they keep samples of their best work. They are encouraged to bring in information of achievements outside school for the pupil noticeboard.  Press cuttings and photographs are well used to celebrate achievements.

8: Active Promotion of the Health and Well-Being of School Staff

• Health and safety policy and practice meet required standards.

Health and safety policies and practice are of a high standard throughout the school community. Very good use is made of training opportunities for all staff. Health information is displayed on the staff noticeboard.

• Regular health promoting activities made available

All staff work effectively together as a team; there is a positive and welcoming atmosphere in the school in which the staff are clearly very supportive of each other; the Head Teacher has a high profile around the school and is available to support staff and listen to their concerns. There are regular and varied staff social activities. Staff all had to set targets for �Healthy Highland Week�.

9: Staff Awareness of Their Professional Roles in Health Related Issues

• School QA procedures demonstrate high levels of expertise and awareness

Staff are very aware of their responsibilities and integrate health promotion in their lessons and to their interaction with the pupils; all have access to the school aims, policies and development plan. Staff are given the opportunity to participate in relevant CPD activities. The cook has an imaginative approach and has been very successful in helping to create �a healthy eating ethos�.

10: School Nutrition Reflects & Supports the HPS Ethos

• School Nutrition Action Group affects positive change

The role of the SNAG group is incorporated in the Pupil Council. Healthy eating initiatives have been given a high profile and pupils fully consulted e.g. by the School Cook speaking to all classes.

• School catering promotes healthy eating/drinking

The quality of the school meals and the use of fresh produce is a key strength of the school. Following consultation with staff and pupils, the cook has developed a range of menus to meet pupils� choices and these have been approved by HC. Special theme days and the attractively presented food has resulted in a high uptake of school meals.

• School tuck-shop promotes  healthy eating/drinking

A healthy tuck shop is run by P7 pupils; pupils also bring healthy snacks.