SW Strategic Health Authority visit to Richard Lander School

1 Oct 2008

Pictured are Richard Lander pupils with members of the South West Strategic Health Authority on their visit to the school.

On the 26th September 2008, four executives from the South West Strategic Health Authority visited Richard Lander School. Richard Lander had this privilege because the school has been recognized as being an excellent example of a Cornish Healthy School, meeting a high standard in the four areas of: Personal Social and Health Education; Physical Activity; Healthy Eating and Emotional Health and Wellbeing. The members of the Strategic Health Authority board wished to view the many aspects that make Richard Lander a healthy school.

After meeting with Mr Mulcahy, Mrs Stockton and Kate Pordage the Cornwall Healthy Schools’ Co-ordinator, the visitors were given a guided tour of the entire building by Joe Vinson (Head Boy of Towan) and Katie Bowen (Head Girl). This tour started by visiting the ARB where Mr Harris talked about the facilities available to students with special needs. We then went to the school canteen to discuss how the kitchen staff contribute to providing a wide variety of healthy foods and drinks to ensure that the students of Richard Lander have a healthy diet. Shortly after this, Miss Ancell gave the executives an informative speech as to how the Food Technology Department educates the students of Richard Lander in how to eat healthily and how to prepare healthy meals. Joe and Katie then took the visitors to the PE Department where the executives watched several students taking part in a lesson. One executive commented, "Richard Lander School obviously sustains a high expectation from children within the PE department whilst at the same time helping students who find some tasks difficult. The PE department is able to offer a wide range of different activities". The tour concluded with a meeting with the members of RESPECT, our student mentoring group, and the School Council. The executives were very pleased with the high input the School Council has within the school as well as the fantastic service that RESPECT provides.

Overall, the visit was very successful and all students involved were excellent at representing Richard Lander School, demonstating  a high standard of professionalism. The visitors highly enjoyed their visit to the school and said, "Richard Lander is a great learning environment for all and it is no surprise that it is considered to be one of the healthiest schools in the county".

Joe Vinson and Katie Bowen