Warwickshire schools are in good health
Schools from across Warwickshire are being commended for their commitment to improving health and wellbeing.
Children and staff from over 70 schools in Warwickshire have been invited to the Playbox Theatre in Warwick for two Healthy Schools County Celebration events on 7 and 8 July.
At the events pupils and staff will be treated to a performance by children’s comedian James Campbell, a healthy buffet lunch with entertainment and goody bags.
The serious message behind the fun is to celebrate the successes of schools that have achieved national Healthy School Status, which means they have met around 140 evidence requirements against nationally set criteria.
The criteria are designed to ensure that the schools take a ‘whole school’ approach to the four core themes of Healthy Schools: personal, social and health education; healthy eating; physical activity; and emotional well-being.
The accreditation requires participants to submit a substantial portfolio of evidence demonstrating the quality and depth of their teaching in PSHE, including particular knowledge, understanding and skills in either sex and relationships education or drug education.
The celebration will also be an opportunity to honour four Warwickshire teachers and four nurses who have gained national accreditation in teaching Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).
The event will be opened by Elizabeth Featherstone, Head of Family and Community Division at Warwickshire County Council. It will be supported by, partners of Warwickshire Healthy Schools, district and local councillors, members of the Children and Young People’s Executive Board, and senior officers from Warwickshire County Council’s Children, Young People and Families directorate.
Elizabeth Featherstone said: “I congratulate all the schools who have achieved Healthy School Status and are delivering good health outcomes for our children and young people.
“The National Healthy Schools Programme aims to raise achievement and reduce inequality by increasing good health and happiness in children. It is not just about the children, the entire school community is involved in cultivating a healthy environment.”
Work currently being undertaken by the Healthy Schools team includes regular workshops and training for schools, the development of action plans and production of practical resources to help schools meet key criteria.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families, added: “The Healthy Schools Programme is not just about teaching children to eat healthily, we look at every aspect of health including social and personal development. It is certainly no mean feat for a school to achieve this status, as they have to prove they have met more than 140 different criteria before being accredited.”
The schools participating in July’s events join 147 Warwickshire schools which have already achieved Healthy School Status and were celebrated at a similar event in 2008.