Healthy Schools

Welcome to the Westminster Healthy Schools Programme website!

The Healthy Schools Programme (NHSP) is a joint initiative between Government Health and Education departments to promote a whole school / whole child approach to health. The Programme has existed since 1999 and is the most successful voluntary programme in schools ever!

All children and young people have the right to be healthy and to achieve at school and in life. Healthy Schools provides opportunities at school for enhancing emotional and physical aspects of health which will lead to improved health, reduced health inequalities, increased social inclusion and raise achievement for all.

Healthier children do better in learning and in life. By enabling children and young people to make positive changes to their behaviour regarding health and well-being, schools help them reach their full potential in terms of achievement and fulfilment. They can also encourage good habits which will benefit children and young people both now and in the future.

100% of schools in Westminster are engaged with Healthy Schools and as of August 2010, 44 [81%] have achieved National Healthy Schools Status [NHSS]

Healthy Schools is not just about children and young people, it is about involving the whole school community. And it is not just what happens in the curriculum but about the entire school day.

There are four core themes that relate to both the school curriculum and the emotional and physical learning environment in school. Each theme includes a number of criteria that schools need to fulfil in order to achieve National Healthy School Status [NHSS]

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education [PSHEE]

• The PSHEE curriculum contributes significantly to all five national outcomes for children and young people: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and economic wellbeing
• PSHEE provides children and young people with the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes to make informed decisions about their lives

Healthy Eating

• Healthy eating contributes significantly to the being healthy national outcome for children and young people
• Children and young people have the confidence, skills, knowledge and understanding to make healthy food choices
• Healthy and nutritious food and drink is available across the school day

Physical Activity

• Physical activity contributes significantly to the being healthy national outcome for children
• Children/young people are provided with a range of opportunities to be physically active
• They understand how physical activity can help them to be more healthy, and how physical activity can improve and be a part of their every day life

Emotional Health and wellbeing

• Emotional health and wellbeing contributes significantly to all five national outcomes for children and young people: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and economic wellbeing.
• The promotion of positive emotional health and wellbeing helps children and young people to understand and express their feelings, build their confidence and emotional resilience, and therefore their capacity to learn.

Once schools have achieved NHSS they are able to move on to Healthy Schools Enhancement which enables them to understand the specific health and wellbeing needs of their pupils. Schools will identify the main health priorities and devise new enhanced projects, practices and interventions to target these priorities.

50% Westminster schools are already making plans to prepare for Healthy Schools Enhancement [August 2010]. It is anticipated that 25% will achieve Healthy Schools Enhancement recognition by December 2010.

By achieving National Healthy School Status (NHSS) and through participating in the Healthy Schools Enhancement, schools can develop the wider thinking and planning they will need to do to achieve better outcomes around health and well-being for children and young people.

For further information:

Visit the National Healthy Schools website: www.healthyschools.gov.uk

Contact the programme lead for Westminster:

Elizabeth Dunsford - Public Health Manager Children and Young People

Email: Elizabeth.Dunsford@inwl.nhs.uk