Healthy Schools

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.

Healthy Schools is intended to deliver real benefits in respect of:
** Improvement in health and reduced health inequalities;
** Raised pupil achievement;
** More social inclusion; and,
** Closer working between health promotion providers and education establishments

They want all children and young people to be healthy and achieve at school and in life. They believe that by providing opportunities at school for enhancing emotional and physical aspects of health. In the longer term, this will lead to improved health, reduced health inequalities, increased social inclusion and raise achievement for all.

Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes (WNHSS) encourages the development of local healthy school schemes within a national framework. These local schemes encourage the development of health promoting schools in their area.

Advice and guidance within the national framework including national aims and guidance on local and national roles is offered to local schemes through publications and national networking events.

WNHSS was developed after work with 12 schools in Wales as part of the European Network of Health Promoting Schools. Case studies have been published in In Perspective.

Blaenau Gwent Schools are focusing on a wide range of activities to help encourage a healthier lifestyle for pupils, teachers and parents. Eating fruit at breaktime and drinking water throughout the school day are just an example of some of the actions that are helping to equip children with the skills and knowledge to make informed choices about their health now and in the future.