Health promoting schools

Role of schools

Schools have an extremely important role to play in fostering the health of children and young people at a formative point in their physical, social, mental and attitudinal development.

A healthy school ethos and environment improves pupils' health, self-esteem and well-being. This in turn can contribute to improved educational attainment.

Schools should have:

Coherent policies to promote a balanced diet and to curb smoking
A strong commitment to a physically active day
Safety policies to reduce bullying and personal attacks
Mentoring services available to all

Many schools have achieved or are working towards the National Healthy School Standard - part of the government's Healthy Schools Programme. Many other schools have established health-promoting policies and practices outside the structure of the programme.

To ensure that health issues are given priority, it is recommended that the National Healthy School Standard should be included within the statutory inspection remit of Her Majesty's Inspectorates for Schools.

Primary pupils face annual obesity check

Primary school children are to be weighed annually, and their parents will be told if they are obese. The government plans to weigh all those aged four to ten in the next academic year to help to prepare a national obesity map. Parents of obese children can expect a letter telling them that their child faces long-term health problems unless action is taken to improve diet and lifestyle.

National policy and strategies

England

Healthy Schools Programme and National Healthy School Standard
The Choosing Health white paper set out the vision that all schools will be working towards healthy school status by 2009 with half reaching healthy school status by 2006. Schools with less than 20% school meals and Pupil Referral Units will be targeted as a priority.
Healthy Living Blueprint
The Healthy Living Blueprint was launched by the government in 2004 to offer advice, information and sources of help to support schools in becoming healthier.

Scotland

Improving the health and nutrition of Scotland's Children (NHF's consultation response)
Schools (Nutrition and Health Promotion) Scotland Bill
School Food - Hungry for Success

Wales

'Appetite for Life'
This consultation is to give information and seek views on the Food in Schools Working Group's report on the extent to which more stringent nutritional standards are introduced; with the aim of delivering a reduction in pupils' consumption of saturated fats, salt and sugar and an increase in the consumption of fruit, vegetables and other foods containing essential nutrients. Response required by 31 October 2006.

Northern Ireland

See the 'Investing in Health' strategy

Other resources

See Young at Heart framework section for recommendations to promote health in schools
See Nutrition for action the National Heart Forum is taking on school meals and on children's food
See Physical Activity for action the National Heart Forum is taking on safe travel to school, school sport and PE.
See School Food for action the National Heart Forum is taking on nutritional standards, breakfast and after-school clubs and free schoolmeals.