The Healthy Schools Programme (NHSP) is a joint initiative between DCSF and Department of Health (DH) - which promotes a whole school / whole child approach to health. The Programme has existed since 1999.
It is recognised as a key delivery mechanism in the Children's Plan (DCSF 2007) and in Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives (DH 2008) – 21st Century White Paper reference. There are direct links between the criteria for NHSS, the Healthy Schools enhancement model and the five Every Child Matters outcomes:
- Be healthy
- Stay safe
- Enjoy and achieve through learning
- Make a positive contribution to society
- Achieve economic well-being.
Both by achieving National Healthy School Status (NHSS) and through participating in the Healthy Schools enhancement model, schools can develop the wider thinking and planning required to achieve better outcomes around health and well-being for children and young people.
For our children and young people, the programme enables them to make positive changes to their behaviour and can help them reach their full potential in terms of achievement and fulfillment - encouraging good habits which will benefit children and young people both now and in the future.
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 10 elements to the whole school approach:
- Leadership, management and managing change
- Policy development
- Curriculum planning and work with outside agencies
- Teaching and learning
- School culture and environment
- Giving children and young people a voice
- Provision of support services for children and young people
- Staff's continuing professional development (CPD) needs, health and welfare
- Partnerships with parents/carers and local communities
- Assessing recording and reporting children and young people's achievement
By adopting this approach, schools ensure full engagement with the whole school community and can secure sustained improvements.
