Isham celebrates a year of health, wellbeing and sporting success
Pupils and staff at Isham CE Primary School, part of the Peterborough Diocese Education Trust (PDET), are celebrating a fantastic run of awards recognising the school’s commitment to helping children stay healthy, active and supported both physically and mentally.
The school has achieved the Healthy Schools Bronze Award, School Games Mark Silver, TAMHS Silver and the Pacesetters Award, with each one reflecting an approach to health and wellbeing that runs through everyday school life. From PE, healthy eating and extra-curricular clubs to emotional wellbeing, PSHE and one-to-one support, the school places huge importance on helping children feel confident, cared for and ready to thrive.
Headteacher Lydia Meek said: “We are incredibly proud of these awards because they reflect so much of what we want life at Isham to be about. We want our children to do well academically, but we also want them to feel happy, healthy and confident, with the skills and support they need to look after themselves and each other.
“It is lovely to see that work recognised because it is something our staff and pupils put so much into every day.”
The school achieved its Healthy Schools Bronze Award in March after meeting criteria across PSHE, PE, healthy eating, active learning and extra-curricular clubs, and is now working towards Silver. Its TAMHS Silver Award celebrates the school’s work around staff and pupil wellbeing, with mental health support built into the curriculum, reflected in the school’s values and backed up by targeted one-to-one interventions where needed.
Physical activity is another big part of school life. Pupils receive two hours of PE each week, every child takes part in termly in-school sports competitions and all pupils are given the chance to attend at least one external competition each year. Children have gone on to compete in county and regional cross-country events, while the school’s dance team celebrated an impressive second place in the Glitterball Dance Schools UK competition, all helping Isham achieve its Silver School Games Mark.
There has also been plenty of excitement beyond regular PE lessons, with pupils taking part in an African dance day, a football skills day and cricket coaching from the Northamptonshire Steelbacks. The school has also welcomed Birmingham Panthers netball player Gabby Coffey and Team GB 400m hurdler Onyeka Okoh, giving children the chance to meet elite athletes and hear first-hand about sport, determination and ambition.
PE Lead Laura Graham said: “We want every child to find something active that they enjoy and feel confident taking part in. It is not just about winning competitions, it is about giving children positive experiences of sport, helping them build confidence and encouraging healthy habits they can carry with them as they grow.”
The school’s wider PSHE curriculum also helps pupils think about their future, with careers learning forming part of that broader focus on personal development. Isham was recently awarded Primary Futures Gold School status recognising their work to raise aspirations and introduce pupils to the world of work.
With Healthy Schools Silver, School Games Mark Gold and the Eco-Schools Green Flag now in its sights, Isham is already looking ahead to the next stage of its work.
