Fender Primary School has achieved School’s Pledge status with support from the Let’s Talk team at Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (WCHC), recognising its commitment to creating a healthier, safer and more supportive environment for children and families.
The School’s Pledge programme promotes healthy eating, physical activity, emotional wellbeing, body positivity and safer school travel.
Working in partnership, the Let’s Talk Team has supported the school through initiatives including well-attended weekly parent/carer coffee mornings. These sessions help reduce social isolation while providing accessible advice from professionals on topics such as health and wellbeing, benefits, special educational needs, child health and behaviour.
Families were also supported through the HENRY (Health, Exercise, Nutrition for the Really Young) Programme for parents and carers of 5-12 year olds, which offers practical guidance on everyday challenges including fussy eating, behaviour, routines, emotional wellbeing and staying active. Each session helped parents and carers build confidence and develop simple, effective tools they can use straight away.
Feedback gathered during coffee mornings, usually attended by up to 40 parents and carers, has directly shaped the development of a new Family Support Pack. This resource provides simple, practical tips and ideas to help families eat well, stay active and improve their overall wellbeing, combining professional guidance with the lived experiences of local families. The sessions also create a space for parents and carers to share their ideas, experiences, and feedback about the support they need to make healthier lifestyle changes as a family.
Karen Bone, Senior Project Manager, School’s Pledge, said:
Parent engagement at Fender Primary has been exceptional. Families have embraced the HENRY Programme, school meal consultations and health sessions, showing a genuine commitment to working in partnership with the school. That shared commitment has given the school real confidence in adopting the School’s Pledge and continuing to strengthen its focus on whole-school health and wellbeing.
Maureen Cain, Senior Lead at Fender Primary, added:
Our parents attended the new HENRY Programme and what started as a course became a lifestyle. Parents who once believed healthy eating was too hard now speak confidently about meal planning, balance and mindful choices. Week by week, they developed a better understanding of nutrition and made positive changes that have transformed their approach to food and mealtimes. Many are now asking for further courses, particularly around keeping fit and healthy.
Phil Rhodes, Senior Health and Wellbeing Advisor, said:
It’s been a joy to co-facilitate the first HENRY Programme. The level of parental engagement made the course truly special. Families learned from one another, celebrated their progress and worked towards healthier lifestyles together. We’re also proud that parents helped shape our new Family Support Pack available on website – www.wchc.nhs.uk/letstalk.
The Let’s Talk Team and Fender Primary School will continue working together to embed these initiatives and support the health and wellbeing of pupils, families and the wider community.
The next HENRY Programme for parents and carers of children aged 5-12 starts in mid-April. If you’d like to sign up or find out more, please email the team – [email protected]
Head teacher at Fender Primary School, Karen Bone, Schools Active, the Let’s Talk team and parents/carers
