The National Healthy Schools’ Programme, lodged within the whole-school approach, provides a model for partnership working between health services, local authorities and schools, with the aim of promoting a coherent and holistic message about the importance of choosing a healthier lifestyle (DfCSF, 2007). In particular, it allows children and young people to have input into processes and access to support services, while facilitating better working relationships with parents or carers and local communities, with a final outcome of sustainable change. As the holistic style of the whole-school approach focuses on all aspects of the school; the pupils, the teachers, the parents, the curriculum and what happens during the day when at school. The whole-school approach encouraged by the National Healthy Schools Programme, has made a huge difference to both student and staff attitudes towards learning. There is now a willingness to engage, students have a sense of self-belief and are healthier, happier and more confident because they are in a more supportive school environment. Staff morale has rocketed, exclusions are now few and far between and student aspirations have soared, with over 90% now progressing to Further and Higher Education. The school is now oversubscribed and this is predicted to remain so in the future. The school perceives that the programme is about constant improvement, and reaching National Healthy School Status is just the beginning of how to continue to promote good practices.
Level of Education: Preschool, School
Lead Organisation: Department of Health (DH), Department for Children, Schools and Families (DfCSF), Bourne Community College
