Healthy Living

At Riverside Bridge School, we recognise that good mental health and emotional wel-lbeing are essential for learning, relationships and overall quality of life.

Many of our pupils require explicit support to understand their emotions, recognise how they are feeling and develop strategies to manage different situations. For this reason, mental health and emotional wellbeing form an important part of our Healthy Living curriculum and wider school approach.

Learning is carefully adapted to pupils' developmental stage, communication needs and individual understanding. Through structured teaching, daily routines and meaningful experiences, pupils are supported to develop greater self-awareness, emotional understanding and resilience.

Understanding feelings and emotions

Pupils are supported to recognise, identify and communicate their emotions in ways that are meaningful to them.

This may include learning to recognise different feelings, understanding how emotions can affect behaviour, identifying personal triggers and developing ways to express emotions appropriately. Visual supports, social stories, communication systems and structured activities help pupils build this understanding over time.

Developing regulation strategies

An important aspect of emotional well-being is learning how to manage feelings and respond to challenges.

Pupils are taught a range of strategies that help them feel calm, safe and ready to learn. These may include sensory strategies, movement breaks, relaxation techniques, visual supports and co-regulation with trusted adults.

Over time, pupils are encouraged to develop increasing independence in recognising when they need support and using appropriate strategies to regulate their emotions.

Building resilience and confidence

Pupils are encouraged to develop confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Through positive relationships, supportive environments and opportunities for success, pupils learn that mistakes are part of learning, challenges can be overcome and perseverance can lead to achievement.

Developing resilience helps pupils manage change, cope with difficulties and engage more confidently in new experiences.

Positive relationships and support networks

Mental health and well-being are closely linked to positive relationships.

Pupils learn about friendship, trust, kindness and seeking help when needed. They are supported to identify trusted adults, understand how to access support and develop confidence in communicating their needs and concerns.

This learning helps pupils feel safe, valued and connected to those around them.

Through this approach, pupils develop a greater understanding of themselves, their emotions and their wellbeing.

They become more confident in communicating how they feel, develop strategies to manage challenges and build positive relationships with others. Over time, this supports emotional resilience, improved wellbeing and increased readiness for learning.

By helping pupils understand and care for their mental health, we support them to lead happier, healthier and more independent lives both in school and beyond.

Relationships, Sex and Health Education is an important part of our Healthy Living curriculum.

We recognise that many of our pupils are more vulnerable and may require explicit teaching to understand relationships, personal boundaries and how to keep themselves safe. Some pupils may find it difficult to recognise risk, understand public and private behaviours or communicate when something is wrong.

For this reason, RSHE at Riverside Bridge School places a strong emphasis on safeguarding, communication, independence and personal safety.

Pupils are supported to develop understanding of:

• healthy and respectful relationships
• friendships and family relationships
• personal boundaries and consent
• public and private behaviours and spaces
• privacy and personal safety
• recognising and communicating feelings
• growing, changing and personal hygiene
• identifying trusted adults and seeking help when needed

Teaching is delivered sensitively and carefully, using consistent language, visual supports and structured approaches. Learning is adapted to each pupil's developmental stage and communication needs, ensuring that it is appropriate, accessible and meaningful.

This work is closely linked to our safeguarding procedures, therapeutic approach and behaviour support systems, ensuring that pupils are supported to stay safe both in school and within the wider community.

A progressive and personalised approach

Health education is taught progressively across all pathways.

Pupils revisit key concepts regularly, building understanding through repetition, structure and consistent adult support. Learning is personalised so that each pupil can develop confidence and independence at a pace that reflects their individual needs.

For many pupils, progress may be seen in small but significant steps, such as increased awareness, improved communication or greater independence in daily routines.

Through this approach, pupils develop the skills and understanding they need to stay safe, healthy and as independent as possible.

They develop greater independence in personal care and daily routines, build confidence in communicating their needs and feelings, begin to recognise and respond to risk, develop understanding of relationships and boundaries and make more informed choices about their health and wellbeing.

This learning plays a vital role in preparing pupils for life beyond school and supporting them to engage safely, confidently and successfully in the wider world.

At Riverside Bridge School, physical development is a fundamental part of preparing pupils for life.

For many of our pupils, skills such as balance, coordination, stability and spatial awareness do not develop naturally and need to be explicitly taught, carefully supported and practised over time. Physical activity is therefore about much more than sport or fitness. It is about enabling pupils to access their environment, develop independence and participate confidently in everyday life.

Physical activity is embedded throughout the school day and adapted to meet the needs of all pupils. Through Physical Education lessons, swimming, active play, outdoor learning and community-based activities, pupils are supported to develop confidence, resilience and essential life skills.

Building fundamental movement skills

A key focus of our provision is the development of the early movement skills that underpin independence.

Pupils are supported to develop control of their bodies through activities that encourage balance, coordination, strength and body awareness. This may include learning to move safely through a space, remain stable when standing, judge distances or control movements such as reaching, throwing and jumping.

For many pupils, these represent significant developmental milestones. Over time, these skills enable pupils to move more independently, access a wider range of environments and engage more confidently with the world around them.

A progressive curriculum

Physical development is taught through carefully planned experiences that reflect each pupil's stage of development.

For our pre-formal learners, this includes access to a specialist PE sensory environment where pupils can explore movement in a safe, structured and supportive setting. Through sensory-based activities, pupils begin to develop early physical awareness, control and confidence.

As pupils progress, they access a wider range of activities including games, team activities, movement programmes and swimming. Our on-site swimming pool provides all pupils with the opportunity to develop water confidence and learn this important life skill within a familiar and supportive environment.

For older pupils, particularly in Key Stages 4 and 5, learning extends to the use of a fitness suite. Pupils are introduced to fitness equipment, learn how to use it safely and begin to understand how physical activity contributes to their long-term health and wellbeing. These experiences help prepare pupils to access community leisure facilities with greater confidence as adults.

Developing skills for everyday life

Physical development also supports independence beyond the school environment.

Pupils are given opportunities to develop cycling skills through structured sessions that promote balance, coordination and confidence. Where appropriate, pupils may also access programmes such as Bikeability, supporting safe participation within the wider community.

These experiences help pupils develop practical skills that can be applied in everyday life and support greater independence as they prepare for adulthood.

Active learning beyond the classroom

Physical activity continues beyond timetabled PE lessons.

Pupils take part in active play, outdoor learning, educational visits and residential experiences that encourage movement, exploration and problem-solving. These opportunities allow pupils to apply their skills in new environments and build confidence across a range of settings.

Sports days, inclusive competitions and group activities provide opportunities for pupils to experience success, develop teamwork and celebrate personal achievement. The focus is always on participation, progress and enjoyment, ensuring that every pupil feels included.

Facilities and resources

Riverside Bridge School provides a wide range of facilities to support physical development, including a fully equipped sports hall, outdoor play areas and specialist equipment.

Recent developments include a dedicated PE sensory gym and an on-site swimming pool, ensuring that all pupils have access to high-quality physical activity and opportunities to develop essential life skills.

More than physical skills

Physical activity supports much more than movement.

Through participation in physical activities, pupils develop confidence, resilience and the ability to work alongside others. They learn to follow routines, understand personal space, communicate with others and engage positively in shared experiences.

These skills support wider learning, social development and preparation for adulthood.

Through our Physical Education curriculum, pupils develop the physical, social and personal skills they need to live more independently.

They become more confident in their movements, more aware of their surroundings and better able to access a variety of environments. Over time, pupils develop the confidence and capability to participate more fully in everyday activities, community facilities and leisure opportunities.

Physical Education plays a vital role in preparing pupils for adulthood, enabling them to move safely, confidently and as independently as possible within the world around them.

At Riverside Bridge School, cooking and nutrition are an important part of preparing pupils for adulthood.

We are committed to helping pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to make healthy choices and, as far as possible, prepare food for themselves and others independently. For many of our pupils, these are essential life skills that need to be taught explicitly, practised regularly and applied in meaningful real-life situations.

Cooking and nutrition support far more than food preparation. They help pupils develop independence, communication, decision-making, organisation and confidence in everyday life.

Learning through real-life experiences

We believe that cooking is best learned through practical experience.

Pupils access regular cooking and food-based learning opportunities, including specialist Food Technology lessons. Activities are carefully adapted to meet pupils' communication, sensory and physical needs, ensuring that everyone can participate meaningfully and experience success.

Pupils engage in a range of practical activities, including preparing ingredients, following instructions, using kitchen equipment safely, taking part in shared mealtimes and making choices about food and drink. Older pupils may also develop skills such as shopping for ingredients, ordering food and handling money in real-world settings.

These experiences help pupils apply their learning beyond the classroom and develop skills they will use throughout their lives.

Understanding food and healthy choices

Pupils develop an understanding of food, nutrition and how healthy choices contribute to physical wellbeing.

They learn about different types of food and drink, the importance of a balanced diet and how food supports growth, health and energy. Learning is delivered in practical and accessible ways that help pupils make meaningful connections between food and wellbeing.

For some pupils, this also includes developing tolerance to a wider range of foods and becoming more confident in exploring new tastes, textures and experiences.

Building independence over time

Cooking and nutrition are taught progressively throughout the school.

Pupils revisit key skills regularly, building confidence through repetition, structure and consistent support. Progress may be seen in increased participation, greater independence when preparing food, improved decision-making or growing confidence in trying unfamiliar foods.

This gradual development helps pupils become increasingly independent and prepared for everyday life beyond school.

More than cooking

Cooking and nutrition provide valuable opportunities to develop a range of wider life skills.

Through preparing food and participating in shared mealtimes, pupils learn to communicate, cooperate with others, follow routines, make choices and take responsibility. These experiences help develop confidence, independence and social understanding alongside practical food preparation skills.

Through cooking and nutrition, pupils develop the skills they need to lead healthier and more independent lives.

They become more confident in preparing and trying foods, make more informed choices about what they eat and drink and develop practical skills that support everyday living. Over time, pupils gain greater independence, increased confidence and valuable life skills that help prepare them for adulthood.

Cooking and nutrition play a vital role in enabling pupils to care for themselves, participate in daily life and engage more confidently with the world around them.

At Riverside Bridge School, we understand that mealtimes are an important part of the school day.

Lunchtime is about much more than nutrition. It provides valuable opportunities for pupils to develop independence, communication skills, social understanding and positive routines that support them both in school and beyond.

Many of the skills associated with eating, social interaction and participating in shared environments are often taken for granted. For our pupils, these skills may need to be explicitly taught, carefully modelled and practised over time.

Whether pupils have a school meal or a packed lunch, they are supported to take part in a structured and positive dining experience that promotes both wellbeing and personal development.

School meals

We are proud to work in partnership with Olive Dining, our school catering provider, to offer high-quality, nutritious meals.

Meals are prepared on-site using quality ingredients, with a focus on balanced nutrition, variety and choice. Menus operate on a three-week cycle and provide a range of hot meals alongside lighter options such as salads, sandwiches and baguettes. Where possible, ingredients are locally sourced, supporting both quality and sustainability.

Pupils are encouraged to make choices about what they eat and are supported to develop confidence in exploring new foods and flavours. Throughout the year, themed menu days, tasting opportunities and seasonal events help make mealtimes enjoyable and engaging.

Packed lunches

We recognise that some pupils bring a packed lunch from home.

Packed lunches can support individual preferences, cultural needs and dietary requirements. We encourage families to provide a balanced selection of foods while recognising that many pupils may have sensory needs, restricted diets or medical requirements that influence their food choices.

Our approach is supportive and flexible. Staff work sensitively with pupils to encourage confidence, independence and positive experiences around food, while recognising that familiar foods may be important in helping some pupils feel safe and regulated.

More than just a meal

Lunchtime provides valuable opportunities for learning and personal development.

Pupils are supported to develop essential life skills that help them participate successfully in everyday situations beyond school. These include communicating preferences, making choices, using cutlery, sitting and eating alongside others, waiting, turn-taking, queuing, understanding personal space and coping within shared environments.

These skills are developed through consistent routines, positive role modelling and repeated opportunities to practise in meaningful contexts.

For many pupils, lunchtime represents significant progress in independence, communication and social understanding.

Through positive lunchtime experiences, pupils develop confidence in eating and trying new foods, build independence in everyday routines and strengthen their communication and social skills.

They learn how to participate successfully in shared environments, become more comfortable with social situations and develop the confidence needed to access similar experiences beyond school.

Lunchtime plays an important role in preparing pupils for adulthood, helping them develop the practical, social and independence skills needed for everyday life.

At Riverside Bridge School, every part of the day is a learning opportunity, and mealtimes are no exception.