While schools have an important role to play in encouraging
healthy lifestyles and exercise as part of a rich, broad
curriculum, expecting too much of schools will not solve the
problem, and risks further increasing teacher workload. As the
Government’s recently published Obesity Strategy acknowledges,
this is a complex societal issue, requiring solutions from many
different players.
Last year the inspectorate carried out research to understand
whether schools are demonstrably having an impact on levels of
childhood obesity, and if there is any good practice out there
from which other schools can learn.
Inspectors visited 60 schools around the country, and found that
most have responded well to government initiatives, including
expectations around physical activity and healthy eating. But it
was not clear that the specific interventions that schools make
could, by themselves, overcome other factors that affect the
weight of their pupils.
PE, personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) and
design and technology (D&T) all provide valuable learning for
children, who may not be taught about healthy eating and the
benefits of exercise at home.
Reinforcing messages, imparting knowledge and developing skills
is what schools do well. The report says that schools should
focus on improving the things they are best placed to do, such
as:
-
· planning a
challenging and well-sequenced curriculum, including learning
about the body in PE and science, and about healthy eating and
cooking
-
· teaching
particular skills like how to cook or how to dance
-
· updating
parents on their children’s physical development, such as
agility, balance and coordination.
- providing ample opportunity for children to take physical
exercise during the school day – with lots of opportunities to
‘get out of breath’
Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman said:
“Obesity is a serious public health challenge with wide-ranging
and deep-rooted effects.
“Schools have an important role to play in the fight against
childhood obesity. A broad curriculum, which emphasises healthy
lifestyles and high quality PE is vital to this, but is too often
given insufficient focus.
“We must also recognise that schools cannot provide a silver
bullet for all societal ills. Teachers and school leaders are
already stretched; they should not be held responsible for an
issue that requires concerted action across the board.
“Families, government, industry, and other parts of the public
sector all have a role to play in making food and drink
healthier, and supporting children to make better choices.”
Inspectors found that schools put too much effort into activities
designed to influence parents without any evidence that they
either have an impact or are what parents want. 83% of parents
said they had been invited to an event at school. But many of
them told Ofsted they are time-poor and what they really want is
readily available information about what their child is doing at
school: what they are eating and learning about, so that this can
be followed up on at home.
Parents also said they wanted more time for PE in the curriculum.
And while extra-curricular activities are a good way to broaden
the opportunities for children to learn new skills and to
exercise, a quarter of parents said that their child couldn’t
access all the clubs and activities they wanted.
Amanda Spielman continued:
“It is essential that schools do not get distracted from their
core educational purpose. Education for health is essential and
must be done well. But this will not happen if schools are
devoting time and energy to things in which they are neither
expert nor likely to have an impact.”
As part of their research inspectors spoke to school senior
managers, governors, school staff with responsibility for healthy
eating or physical activity, teachers, teaching assistants,
catering staff, school nurses, pupils and the pupils’ parents.
They observed lessons related to healthy eating and physical
activity, looked at extra-curricular provision, and at the
content of school lunches.
Ends
Notes to editors
Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector is available for
interview. Please contact Ofsted Press Office on 03000 130415 or
email emma.bowden-wright@ofsted.gov.ukto
arrange.
Please note that the attached report is subject to minor
proofreading changes.
