1. Introduce yourself to the class.
Explain that you are here to talk to the children about:
how they can stay healthy
what will happen when they are measured.

2. Explain that you are here to measure everyone’s height and weight:
This is done in private.
All you have to do is take off your shoes.
It’s very quick and easy and there’s no need to worry about it.
Only your parents will find out the results.
It is a continuation of the measurements recorded in your red book when you were a small child.

3. Explain that all Year 6 children in England are measured as part of a national programme to help people live healthy lives.
Explain that this is part of a national programme and that children are measured at five and 11 to provide information to help the government and NHS tackle health problems, and plan healthy and leisure services for children.
Go on to explain that it’s also a chance to check in on how you’re developing and think about ways that you can become healthier.
Invite questions.

4. Explain the procedure for the measurements, putting pupils’ mind at rest.

5. Open this out for discussion to the class.
Explain that if we don’t look after our health we can become overweight. Having too much fat in our bodies puts us at greater risk of developing cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Ask the children how can we stay healthy, before revealing the next slide.

6. Explain that to stay healthy it is important to eat well, eat for your size and be active.

7. Talk to children about the Eatwell Guide.

8. Explain that it’s important to eat the right amount for your age and activity level – Me Size Meals.
Tell the pupils that eating big portions all the time, or having seconds, will mean their bodies carry too much fat – and this can make them unwell.

9. Ask the children:
What counts as physical activity?
Explain that moving more helps us to be healthy for lots of reasons. It uses energy, and it also helps us feel good and be happy. It’s okay to enjoy activities that don’t involve moving about. For example, reading a book is a great activity and we should all make time to read every day! But we shouldn’t spend too much time doing things that mean keeping still. Instead, we should all try and move more every day.
Ask them if they know how much physical activity they should be doing each day, before revealing the answer on the next slide.

10. To maintain a basic level of health, children and young people aged five to 18 need to do at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Emphasise that there are lots of ways to move more – it’s about finding things you enjoy and which you can fit into your day or week.
Ask pupils to think about an average school day. What can they do…
before or on the way to school
during breaks or lunchtimes
after school
at home in the evening
… to include more moderate and vigorous activity?

11. Emphasise these two points explaining that good health is about mindset as much as anything.
It is important that children understand the principle that even if they are in a particular mindset right now, they can change the way they think and approach healthy eating and activity. Use growth mindset principles in the approach to discussion here.
Finish by inviting questions.