On 28th November 132 passionate professionals came together at the Hilton Gateway Hotel for the first Nottingham Healthy Child Conference.  The event brought together experts, local organisations and teachers to exchange ideas, share good practice and drive forward health and wellbeing in Nottingham schools. 

Delegates were inspired by keynote speeches from a range of expert presenters including Nottingham's inspirational Olympic champion weightlifter, Emily Campbell.  They had the opportunity to engage in creative taster sessions, attend interactive workshops, and engage with professionals in our marketplace.

Participants left feeling energised and motivated, with practical strategies to implement in their schools.  One teacher declared it was the best conference they'd attended in their 15 years of teaching! 

We have started thinking about what next year's conference might look like, although as one participant commented "Good luck with next year! You’ve set such a high bar!" - We love a challenge - watch this space!!

Thank you to all the schools that took part in the annual Health and Wellbeing survey for children in years 6 and 10.  Our commissioned survey provider, SHEU, are busy analysing the data and plan to send full reports with comparative City data to schools in late January/early February.  We will be incorporating discussion and strategies for how to use the data into our networks in the Spring Term, book a place here.

The survey provides invaluable data on the health related behaviours of your pupils, giving you a baseline from which to plan your health and wellbeing related activities, PSHE, and Personal Development.  Next year, the survey will again run from September to mid-November, you can sign up for next year's survey here.

Veganuary

This January let’s encourage healthier habits in our schools! By introducing delicious plant-based meals and fun physical activities, we can help students stay energised, focused, and active. Plant-based eating supports growth and learning, and pairing it with engaging physical activities makes for a vibrant, healthy school environment. Ready to get started? Check out Veganuary’s website for resources and inspiration. For parents whose children are curious about going vegan, here are seven helpful tips to support them on this journey.

Let’s Stay Active and Eat Healthily This Christmas

The festive season is a great time to encourage students and families to stay active and eat healthily, setting the stage for National Obesity Awareness Week in January. There are plenty of free opportunities for students to stay active over the holidays such as Nottingham’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme which provides free meals and fun activities for eligible children, while Change4Life offers family-friendly recipes and ideas for active play. Christmas can also be a difficult time for students with eating disorders. Schools can access support from Beat Eating Disorders to help students manage this challenging period and promote a balanced approach to food and health. As January approaches, many focus on dieting, and schools can guide students toward healthy, sustainable habits. The NHS’s Better Health for Families offers practical tools and tips for balanced eating and activity, while the British Nutrition Foundation provides resources on healthy weight management. By focusing on sustainable, positive changes, we can support students and families in achieving long-term health and wellbeing.