The Programme:
- is concerned with health in its widest definition, encompassing physical, mental and social well-being as well as the quality of life;
- is concerned with promoting the health and well-being of the whole community: pupils, parents, staff and governors;
- starts from the recognition of existing practice and enables schools, within an overall framework, to develop through the process of school self-evaluation;
- recognises the need for a whole-school approach to maximise the development of the school;
- insists that equality issues and social inclusion are fundamental to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Programme.
Benefits of Working towards National Healthy School Status
The benefits of becoming a health promoting school are many. These include
School
- Raising standards
- Improving teaching and learning
- Sending a clear message to Ofsted about the ethos of the school
- Gaining support from the local healthy schools team to develop PSHE and supporting the SEF.
Pupils
- Improving self-esteem and confidence to make decisions
- Becoming more involved in the life of the school
- Improving motivation and skills to make important life and health choices.
Community
- Demonstrating to parents, employers and pupils that health is taken seriously.
- Improving communication between schools and the community they serve.
