Each week children from Archbishop Sumner Primary School in Lambeth gain a greater understanding of how their body works by taking part in Fit4Kids, an after-school programme led by a team of school nurses from Lambeth PTC.
The children, aged between five and 11, learn how to concoct healthy smoothies, how to grow vegetables and how to check their pulse after gentle exercise.
Babs Wright, the extended schools co-ordinator who started the project, said, 'We encourage children who have an interest in healthy living, or those whom we believe may need to learn about healthy food and the importance of exercise, to attend the class. Parents are encouraged to accompany them during half- term to understand the issues surrounding healthy eating.'
Mrs Wright presented the idea to Lambeth PCT early in 2004. 'The school nurses were enthusiastic from day one,' she said.
Staffing costs are met by the PCT and the start-up costs of the project - which Mrs Wright described as 'minimal' - are being paid out of the full service extended school budget.
The project has been so successful that children from a nearby primary school will be attending the course this term.
Fit4Kids features in the Government's white paper on public health, Choosing Health (November 2004).
