Healthy schools
The National Healthy Schools programme promotes a whole school approach to health. The programme is a joint initiative between the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which has been running since 1999. It aims to deliver benefits in the following areas:
- Improvement in health and reduced health inequalities
- Raised pupil achievement
- More social inclusion
- Closer working between health promotion providers and education establishments
The public health white paper Choosing Health (2004) set a challenging
target for 75% of schools to have achieved healthy schools status by 2009 and
for all schools to be working toward this target. The white paper also
highlighted the commitment to extend the National Healthy Schools programme to
include early years settings and further education institutions.
Click to download Choosing
Health from the Department of Health website.
A healthy school promotes the health and well-being of its pupils and staff through a well planned, taught curriculum. It does this in a physical and emotional environment that promotes learning and healthy lifestyle choices. Schools need to satisfy criteria in the four core themes within the programme:
- Healthy eating
- Physical activity
- PSHE
- Emotional health and well-being.
The National Healthy School Programme provides a model for partnership working between the health service and schools, with the aim of promoting a coherent and holistic message about the importance of choosing a healthy lifestyle.
Click to read more on the Healthy Schools website.
This page was last updated on 29 June 2007
