At Ghyll Royd School, we believe that a healthy body supports a healthy mind. That’s why nutrition and physical activity are built into the heart of our daily routine. By promoting balanced eating and active lifestyles from an early age, we’re helping children develop lifelong habits that support their wellbeing, both in and out of the classroom.
Physical Activity; Movement Every Day
Children at Ghyll Royd enjoy a rich and varied programme of physical activity throughout the week. Typically, our pupils take part in:
- Two Physical Education sessions
- One Gymnastics session
- One Swimming lesson
This means that on four days of the week, every child experiences a structured physical session, helping build strength, coordination, confidence, and teamwork. These sessions are led by specialist teachers and tailored to each child’s age and ability.
In addition, two daily break times offer plenty of opportunity for free, energetic play, supported by a wide range of outdoor equipment and open space.
Our commitment to an active lifestyle goes far beyond the timetable. Extra-curricular sports clubs are a real strength of our school, with outstanding participation:
- Friday Morning Running Club draws nearly half the school!
- Football, circuits, cricket nets, and more offer active fun before, during, and after school.
In our Pre-School, active outdoor play is a core part of the Early Years curriculum. Children aged 2–5 explore the outdoors several times a day and take part in weekly Welly Walks around our beautiful, expansive grounds, building a love for nature and movement from the very start.
Nutrition – Real Food for Real Growth
We understand that what children eat fuels how they learn, grow, and feel. That’s why nutrition is a cornerstone of our school ethos. Our menus are thoughtfully crafted to reflect our core food values:
- Meals are freshly prepared from scratch on-site each day by our in-house chefs.
- Every dish features a variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole foods.
- We use only real, high-quality ingredients, avoiding excess sugar, salt, and processed foods.
- We encourage children to try new flavours and develop a diverse palate.
- All dietary needs and preferences are fully catered for.
Children are encouraged to bring one healthy snack for morning break, and fresh water is always available throughout the day.
Just as important as what we eat is how we eat. At Ghyll Royd, we promote our signature ‘Fine Dining’ approach, teaching children the importance of table manners, conversation, and community during mealtimes. Children dine together, are guided in etiquette, and are praised daily for their conduct and consideration at the table.
