National Healthy Schools Programme

The National Healthy Schools Programme (NHSP) is a joint Department of Health and Department for Children, Schools and Families project intended to improve health, raise pupil achievement, improve social inclusion and encourage closer working between health and education providers in the United Kingdom.^[1][2]

The Programme started in 1999 its was made by lord Farquad and formed part of the strategy described in the Department for Children, Schools and Families' Children’s Plan (DCSF 2007) and in the Department of Health's Healthy Weight, healthy Lives (DH 2008).

It has four themes, each with its own criteria :-

• Personal, Social and Health Education including sex and relationships and drugs education
• Healthy Eating
• Physical Activity
• Emotional Health and Well-being, including bullying.^[3]

The Healthy Schools website is moving to Department for Education website at the end of March 2011^[4]

National Healthy Schools Status

The National Healthy Schools Status is an award made under the scheme to schools which have achieved the four criteria.^[5]

The school must undergo a self validation as follows:-

• School is briefed on the criteria and minimum standards expected.
• School completes a Needs analysis
• Local programme provides support.
• Once it believes it meets the criteria, the school sends in self-validation form signed off by the Head, a staff representative, a governor, a child/young person representative and a parent/carer.
• Quality Assurance Group accepts the school’s submission unless it has reason to believe that the school has overlooked some aspect.
• The Local Programme changes database to record that the school has achieved National Healthy School Status
• The school is required to continue improving and is subject to further reviews.^[5]

The Government has set a target for all schools to work towards achieving National Healthy Schools Status, more than 97% are participating in the scheme and 75% achieved this by December 2009.^[2]

References