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What is NutriSkill? top
It is a complete healthy eating programme of learning designed predominantly for schools, but also with Children’s Centres, Nurseries and Pre-Schools in mind at Entry Level. It enables all teachers and leaders, regardless of prior knowledge, to deliver accurate, lively sessions which are both age appropriate and effective.
Knowledge is gained quickly, in an active and fun, therefore memorable way. It is the first and only resource which offers all the knowledge, teaching aids and evaluations required to deliver memorable, fun, physical lessons of any duration, and then constantly build on this knowledge as the child progresses through their school life.
The quality of the resource materials is also extremely high and has been commented upon in our pilots. Tremendous results – an average of 24 % increase in knowledge - and feedback came from the recent pilots, proving that it does what it is intended to do – increase children’s knowledge of foods and their ability to make their own choices for a better future! |
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How is it used? top
Teachers or session leaders use a manual, with the learning split into 4 modules, containing relevant guidance, activities, classroom aids, reward stickers, evaluations, and certificates of completion.
The modules can be worked through one at a time, moving on when children have achieved a good level of proficiency within each module. Alternatively, for those who are more proficient, dipping in and out of the modules as required can also work well. The manual guidance, prompts and activity ideas can simply be followed, or teachers/leaders can apply their own creativity.
They can share their ideas with other teachers on the website and gather new ideas from others. There is also an additional section ‘Get Cooking/Cooker-less Cooking’ which can be used with or without cooking facilities. By running the suggested ‘cooker-less’ cooking sessions and games, children gain a basic understanding of what is involved in preparing and cooking a meal.
The games throughout the programme offer fun active learning with physical activity using a giant floor mat, and also enable teachers/leaders to gauge children’s knowledge and to provide a check on learning.
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Who is the programme suitable for? top
It is suitable for all ages because the programme is delivered in subject modules within individual packs, which are in line with the age based food competences laid down by The British Nutrition Foundation.
In addition, the method of delivery is also tailored to the age range of the participants at each stage. The concept also works extremely well for special education needs and extended services activities, and ethnic/cultural diversity is built into the programme organically. |
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How does the resource work in Early Years settings? top
Because all the resources are so visual, the Entry Level Pack is ideal for pre-school children.
They love the activity aspect that makes learning fun as well as the bright colours and smiling face. During evaluations, children may be asked to scribble in a certain colour to indicate their choices if they do not yet have the fine motor skills to tick or cross.
The evaluation could also be completed verbally without any problems if required; using the food cards from the resource in place of the evaluation forms. |
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What are schools using to teach this subject to children? top
There are many ‘classroom aids’ available which are in use in some cases, but delivery of accurate, fun, age appropriate, progressive, creative lessons, is very dependent upon the teacher’s knowledge and ability in this area.
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Why is this method better? top
Teachers/leaders with very little underpinning knowledge often feel worried or lack confidence to deliver healthy eating sessions currently (regardless of classroom aids), but NutriSkill enables them to immediately deliver fun, lively sessions with confidence.
Those who have the knowledge and confidence already - still enjoy the active, fun nature of this resource and the pilots proved that significant improvement was made in the children’s knowledge in all cases.
It was also designed specifically in bright colours with the happy face appealing to children and making learning more fun than before. NutriSkill also brings in fitness with the provision of physical games as part of the learning. Teachers can add their own ideas and share them with others, or gain support and inspiration free of charge from www.nutriskill.co.uk. |
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Why do we need something else? top
NutriSkill complements other resources in use which are in line with the government model, however it is unique; the only resource of this nature on the market; delivering knowledge in a simple, fun, memorable way throughout the school year and beyond.
It is not just one lesson; it is the entire subject and children’s knowledge is developed term on term and year on year. Its construction is high quality and durable, specifically to cope with many years of use by children. |
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Why do teachers and leaders want to use this resource? top
It is the most accurate, easy to use resource which children want to learn with, and assists you to comply with your legislative responsibilities.
It is also very flexible to be used in a variety of ways; in PE activity lessons, in different curriculum areas (not just PHSE), group discussions, at circle time, during wet playtimes - the list is endless and is very much down to the teacher to manage. Teachers find the resources “make it more exciting and interesting for children” and they like having the opportunity to move around and sometimes take the children out of the classroom.
Teachers found it “very rewarding to be able to talk to the children about food and their understanding of food groups” and enjoyed the “discussions which arose from sorting food and healthy choices”
In children’s centre settings, family learning and other group scenarios can also be facilitated and in many cases, the resource is bought in a bundle which allows various different budgets to purchase together for more cost effective provision to all the children in their care
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Have you got any proof that NutriSkill actually works? top
The pilots in Gateshead and Stockport have shown that children’s knowledge can increase by a tremendous amount in a very short space of time.
One class average increased by 83% in just 7 weeks! Average increase over all the pilots was 24%. In addition, teachers commented on the practical impact of the resource with comments such as “Children are trying to make better food choices at lunch time” and “Children are talking about their lunch and relating it to the model”
Children and teachers love the resources and we have received feedback such as “Healthy eating was viewed by the children as any other subject until the NutriSkill resources arrived. They picked up on it quickly and their knowledge has come on so much.
They have really enjoyed doing it (the activities and giant games) and want to do it more and more”. Many more quotes from teachers can be read in the NutriSkill Pilots report on our website. |
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Do you have any endorsements or supporters for NutriSkill? top
Our pilot data can be read at www.nutriskill.co.uk, containing many statements from teachers involved in the pilots.
Catherine Wilde, Head Teacher at Queens Road Primary School in Stockport said
“The resources are very good and enable teachers to present exciting and meaningful lessons”.
Carole Robson, Gateshead Healthy Schools Co-ordinator uses the resource when visiting Primary Schools in the area and stated
“NutriSkill is a very good resource for children in Primary Schools”
Following the pilots in a cluster of his schools, Alun Davies, Healthy Education Adviser, Raising Achievement Service, Learning & Children, Gateshead Council stated “The NutriSkill resource effectively supports teaching and learning regarding healthy eating and can be taught through a number of curriculum subjects. Learners enjoy handling the bright, glossy resource cards and working on the large mat; linking active, physical learning with knowledge testing”.
Since the pilots, the authority has bought further packs and they loan them to schools on a term by term basis. |
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What does the resource include? top
The resource includes the manual, guidance notes, classroom activities, physical games, reward stickers, evaluation model, certificates of completion, cooking/cooker-less cooking section, teaching aids including 100 food cards, desktop mat and giant non-slip game floor mat;
all you need to take this subject to your pupils immediately, with no training and no need for anything else.
You also have free unlimited access to the online forum to pick up further ideas from other teachers and share your own, along with nutrition support from our experts. Some profit from sales will be donated to The NutriSkill Foundation to promote healthy eating and healthy living to the wider population.
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Are the packs available on loan? top
Your local Healthy Schools Team, Primary Care Trust or Local Authority may purchase packs for donation or loan to schools. However, we guarantee that once you and the pupils have used the resource, you will not want to let it go again!
Your parent/teacher/governors groups may be able to fund raise specifically for this resource, or get a local business to donate the funds for the pack in return for their name appearing inside the teacher’s manual and school newsletters etc. You may also be able to source funding via The School Food Trust’s website. |
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Why was this product developed? top
To give all children the knowledge they need to make their own choices about food, thus offering them the ability to improve their health and quality of life, both now and in adulthood.
This is key; to help to reduce the obesity epidemic in the UK and improve the health of the nation. Also, to give teachers the tools and therefore the confidence to deliver this subject, in line with government guidelines, allowing flexibility so it can fit it into the school day, and assisting the school to comply with the Healthy Schools Agenda and the Every Child Matters legislation. |
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Who has developed it? top
A business woman and Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer created and developed the teaching aids and the programme, co-writing the resource content with a Registered Dietitian.
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What is ‘The National Healthy School Programme’/ Agenda? top
The Healthy Schools Programme is a government initiative, jointly funded by the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (formerly the Department of Education).
It supports the links between health, behaviour and achievement; and is based on a whole-school approach to physical and emotional well-being focused on four core themes: Personal, Social & Health Education, Healthy Eating, Physical Activity, and Emotional Health & Well-being. |
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What is the ‘Every Child Matters’ legislation? top
Every Child Matters: Change for Children is the government’s strategy for promoting the well-being of children and young people.
The aim is for all children, whatever their background or circumstances, to have the support they need to: be healthy; stay safe; enjoy and achieve; make a positive contribution; and achieve economic well-being.
Organisations involved in provided public services for children and young people are expected to do so in alignment with the five outcomes above, as well as by working more closely together with others and by sharing information where appropriate |
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