We teach students about the importance and benefits of healthy habits and promote physical activity, a balanced diet and self-care activities throughout the curriculum and school life.
Healthy eating
At Ark Acton Academy we value the importance of meal times. We are committed to provide a healthy and nutritious meal for every child alongside the experience of eating meals in a small group alongside adults. We have an onsite kitchen where all our meals are cooked fresh each day.
Pupils have an opportunity to experience discussion and dialogue over dinner with support from staff. We place great importance on all our pupils learning these important social skills and therefore this is a part of the school day which is planned for and shared with teachers and other adults.
We also run a breakfast club where children can get involved in a range of activities and receive a nutritionally balanced meal.
Mental health
We recognise that adolescence is a time of immense change and uncertainty; coupled with the experiences of a global pandemic and school closures. We place utter importance on offering expert care and support for our young people. Every year group has a non-teaching Head of Year who is focussed on their care and guidance. We have an extensive range of mental health provision onsite:
- Counselling
- Adolescent psychotherapy
- CBT
- Clinical psychology
- Mental Health First Aid
- Art therapy
- Family therapy
Physical activity
We make full use of our outstanding sports facilities. All students complete a minimum of 2 hours per week of PE in the curriculum. We run a range of sports clubs each week and every student has to take part in our compulsory co-curricular club that includes sport. We have fully qualified coaches who run sports clubs every lunchtime and after school to enable every student to take part.