The school aims fully embody health promoting statements relevant to the whole school community and promote a positive and inclusive learning environment with a strong emphasis on partnership working.

The school encourages all pupils to take on responsibilities across the school; pupils from classes P3 to P7 participate in an active and effective Pupil Council. Members of the Council report back to classes to ensure that all pupils have a part in decision making. There are good links with the PTA e.g. for fund raising to purchase play equipment and to improve the school grounds; pupils played a big part in the organisation of the recent May Fair which raised £1800.

Throughout the school there are displays, posters and guidelines encouraging a positive approach and a spirit of co-operation and good citizenship; this is echoed in the school aims, policies and plans. There is very good interaction between staff, pupils and parents and a real sense of partnership working which creates a supportive learning environment. The school is pro-active in promoting a safe environment and in conflict resolution with an emphasis on socialising or “Be nice to others”; the ‘yellow capped buddies’ have a key role in this in the playground while ‘Ginger the puppet’ is clearly a good influence on the infants.

A variety of reward systems are in place and valued by the pupils who talked positively about them. There is a ‘well done’ board and very good displays of photographs celebrating success and encouraging achievement. Weekly assemblies are used to present certificates, Head Teacher’s, Star Workers’ and Star Writers’ Awards. The ‘domino’ spot awards for good behaviour and helping others are an innovative way of encouraging positive behaviour.

There is an active and supportive PTA, whose fund-raising activities for the purchase of new play equipment are much appreciated by the school. The PTA responds to pupil requests through the Pupil council. Parents are valued as active participants in the education of their children and their opinions sought on proposed developments e.g. a recent survey on travel plans.

Parents are kept very well informed about that is happening in the school through monthly newsletters, letters on specific events, a developing web-site, Parents’ Evenings on specific topics and personal contact e.g. at SLG’s. The parents interviewed all spoke positively about the school, the level of support provided for pupil sand communication between home and school.

Good quality reports, with a positive, encouraging emphasis, are provided in line with the HC model; opportunities for consultation on progress are available at two formal consultation evenings.

North Wick Primary provides very good physical and mental challenge in the curriculum for pupils of all abilities. The very good planning and teaching of the school staff is complemented by input from visiting teachers of PE, art and music and a fitness instructor. Reading records are shred with parents to engage their support. Opportunities are taken to widen the pupils’ experiences by such as the Covenant Players and the Travelling Gallery Exhibition. The school has a very good gym facility and this is well used by staff to give all pupils a good level of physical activity; e.g. nursery pupils have gym every day.

The relationship and interaction between staff and pupils was seen to be very good and has created a stimulating learning and teaching environment where pupils are encouraged by praise and a positive approach. Pupils were also seen to be very active in the well-supervised playground and made use of available play equipment such as skipping ropes and footballs.

The detailed PSE programme and curricular plans fulfil national requirements; there is also a big commitment to make physical activity available to all both within the curriculum and through extra-curricular activities.

Very good multi-agency partnerships e.g. through SLG’s are in place to support individuals, including setting health targets. The CSW has a key role in working with families e.g. in co-operation with the school nurse to encourage ‘positive parenting’ and with pupils in a social skills group with brain gym activities.

Pupils, parents, staff and partner professionals are all involved in development groups such as PTA, SNAG and Pupil Council; collaborative planning and partnerships are central to the school’s operation.

Promotion of a healthy lifestyle is covered by both the school’s health education programme and topics within the science and environmental studies curriculum; individuals are supported in this by one to one contact with support staff.

There is a clear health and safety policy that meets all requirements. Staff are very aware of their role in supporting each other and a ‘mutually supportive and close working atmosphere was evident.

The school has a SNAG that has introduced a Breakfast Club, issued guidelines on packed lunches, identified healthy choices for the tuck shop and ended ‘fizzy drinks’ in school. The well-supported Breakfast Club has a very impressive range of healthy options available; the games and exercises on offer are also clearly very popular with pupils and make for an excellent start to the day.

Free fruit is provided in nursery and infant classes and is eaten in classes. School meals are based on the HC menus and are well-presented; the dining room staff have an encouraging approach to persuade the pupils to try new foods and to make healthy choices.