Care and support

Healthy Schools in Hertfordshire

What do we mean by a "Healthy School"?

A Healthy School promotes the health and well being of its pupils and staff through a well-planned curriculum, which encourages learning and healthy lifestyle choices.

What is the National Healthy Schools programme?

The National Healthy School programme was set up by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Department of Health (DoH) as part of the government’s drive to reduce inequalities, social inclusion and raise educational standards.

On a local level, Hertfordshire County Council is working in partnership with the 8 Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to manage a local Healthy Schools Programme.

What are the aims?

The aims of the National Healthy Schools programme are:

• to support children and young people in developing healthy lifestyles
• to help raise pupil achievement
• to help reduce health inequalities
• to help promote social inclusion

What do schools have to do?

Schools are asked to demonstrate standards in the core themes using an approach which involves the whole school community:

• Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) - including sex and relationship education and drug education
• Healthy Eating
• Physical Activity
• Emotional Health and well being (including bullying)

What are the outcomes?

Achieving Healthy School status enables your school to demonstrate its contribution to the 5 national outcomes for children, and supports the targets within the following national priorities:

• Improving behaviour and attendance
• Improving performance in national Standard Attainment Tests (SATs)
• Reducing and halting the rise in childhood obesity
• Promoting positive sexual health and reducing teenage pregnancy
• Reducing young people's drug, alcohol and tobacco use

What are the benefits?

Pupils in healthy schools report a range of positive behaviours ranging from diminished fear of bullying to reduced likelihood of using illegal drugs.

Where can I find out more about Healthy Schools?

The links on this page will take you to further information about the Hertfordshire Healthy Schools Programme published on the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning website.There are also links to the Schools address book, the Hertfordshire Children's Trust Partnership, and Wired for Health, the website for the National Healthy Schools Programme.

What is "Wired for Health"?

Wired for Health is a series of websites developed by the Department of Health (DoH), and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Health information relating to the National Curriculum and the National health Schools Programme is previded for a range of audiences including:

• Teachers
• Local healthy schools programme co-ordinators
• Education and health professionals, including community nurse and teacher PSHE CPD programmes
• Young People - Four interactive health sites for young people aged 5-16

Follow the link on this page.