The gorse gets healthy logo, there’s some text on the right which reads “Building Healthy Habits for Life. Move More. Eat Right. Sleep Well“
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GORSE Gets Healthy at The Ruth Gorse Academy

GORSE  Gets Healthy is a core part of our Personal Development curriculum offer. Biweekly, form tutors deliver a tailored session which focuses on physical health, mental health and wellbeing; sessions range in topic from healthy snacks, to sleep hygiene routines, to tips to incorporate exercise daily. Students complete quizzes and activities which are iterative in nature, to revisit themes and key concepts. This work is complimented by our curriculum offer in Physical Education which reinforces these key messages, our science curriculum and also our PSHE and RSHE curriculum.

Our student GORSE Gets Healthy representatives support our work in this area of school life, promoting GORSE Gets Healthy initiatives and helping run GORSE Gets Healthy events for students and also parents and carers. Students work with other GORSE Gets Healthy representative at Trust level meetings, where they make changes to improve the health of students and staff at GORSE.

2025-2026 Aims

Active travel

Active travel icon, there are 4 people doing exercise on bikes & scooters

Aim

To continue to promote active ways to travel to school to improve physical health, mental wellbeing, and reduce carbon emissions.

Healthy choices

Healthy choices icon, there’s a weight scale with an apple on one side, and a burger on the other

Aim

To continue to encourage students to make healthy food and drink choices.

Curriculum links

Curriculum links icon, it’s an outline of a head, with a connected web inside

Aim

To develop our curriculum to include links to GORSE Gets Healthy foci.

This year’s events

This year, GORSE Gets Healthy (GGH) has hosted a range of exciting events designed to inspire students to make healthier choices in their daily lives. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to:

  • Smoothie Sleuth: Students put their taste buds to the test, guessing the fruits and vegetables hidden in delicious smoothies. This event combined fun and education, sparking curiosity about nutritious ingredients.
  • Feel the Peel: A sensory adventure where students reached into mystery boxes to identify fruits and vegetables by touch. Participants then sampled an assortment of exotic and familiar produce, encouraging them to explore new, healthy flavours.
  • Just Dance: From dancing and house games to a fruity break-time snack – students had a breaktime full of energy and fun.
  • Heart Month Celebration: During Heart Month, students took part in a heart health trivia challenge. For each correct answer, they earned a spin on the wheel for a chance to win a healthy reward! Additionally, students had the opportunity to sample a variety of tasty heart-healthy foods they may not have tried before, making healthy eating both fun and informative.

We have more pop ups planned so watch this space!

GORSE Gets Healthy isn’t just about events; it’s about building a culture where making healthy choices is easy, enjoyable, and empowering.

Our Partnerships

Modeshift Logo, it’s the words “modeshift“ in large blocky text

Modeshift

We work with the team at Modeshift to better understand the travel needs of our students. We work on ways we can promote and support active travel to school and work. This prioritises physically healthy travel, but also considers wellbeing and environmentally friendly travel alternatives too.

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