Healthy Schools

Our health habits are learned early in life – if our children learn about looking after themselves at an early age, including healthy eating, keeping active, having friends and the dangers of smoking and alcohol, then healthy lifestyle patterns can be set.

The school is a great place for children to receive these messages and learn the skills to do this.
All of the primary schools and most of the secondary schools in our borough are health promoting schools – your children will bring these messages home to you.

 

What is a Healthy School?

A healthy school is one which actively promotes, protects and embeds the physical, mental and social health and well being of its community through positive action by such means as policy, strategic planning and staff development with regard to its curriculum, physical environment and community relations.

A healthy school:

  • Identifies, develops and communicates a positive message and appropriate values in relation to the health and well-being of the whole school community.
  • Actively values and promotes the self-esteem of all members of the school community, develops good relationships in the daily life of the school and is welcoming and open to parents and the wider community.
  • Is successful in helping pupils and staff do their best and celebrates their achievements.
  • Offers all pupils the opportunity to benefit from a broad, balanced, creative and stimulating education that challenges and promotes brain-friendly learning.
  • Promotes good communication within the whole school community ensuring that pupils and staff are given an effective voice in decision making influencing the whole school.
  • Provides an accessible and relevant PSHE / Citizenship programme which enables pupils to develop their skills and attitudes in order to make informed choices about their health and to develop their social, moral, spiritual and cultural awareness.
  • Invests in the physical and emotional health of staff and pupils to help improve standards and raise achievement.
  • Provides a range of opportunities beyond the curriculum, which promote the development of skills.
  • Takes every opportunity to provide a safe, happy and reflective learning environment, which promotes inclusion.
  • Develops partnerships with appropriate outside agencies and individuals, for advice and active support within the context of health education and health promotion in the school.