The National Healthy School Programme
on the Isle of Wight.

The National Healthy Schools Programme is an exciting long-term initiative which is making a significant difference to the health and achievement of children and young people. The National Healthy Schools Programme supports the links between health, behaviour and achievement; it is about creating healthy and happy children and young people, who do better in learning and in life.

Children and young people in Healthy Schools tell us that they feel healthier, happier and safer. Their parents tell us that they feel more involved in their child’s health and learning and often feel better themselves. Schools tell us that the National Healthy Schools Programme has brought sustained improvement in behaviour, standards of work and school management.

The impact of our programme is based on a whole-school approach to physical and emotional well-being focused on four core themes:

The whole school approach involves working with children and young people, parents, school staff and the whole school community to provide a solid foundation from which developments and improvement are embedded in a systematic way. These processes contribute to the physical and emotional development of all members of the school community.

We want all children and young people to be healthy and achieve at school and in life. We believe that by providing opportunities at school for enhancing emotional and physical health, we will improve long term health, reduce health inequalities, increase social inclusion and raise achievement for all.

The National Healthy School Standard (NHSS) was launched in October 1999. The Isle of Wight chose to adopt a consortium approach with Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton in the spirit of partnership working in line with a number of regional initiatives that involved these authorities. Ten schools on the Island accepted the challenge of piloting the work.

A report on the excellent work which the schools covered can be seen in the book – “Impact of the National Healthy School Standard on the Isle of Wight” produced by the authority. Copies of this booklet may be obtained from Helen Lewis at Thompson House.
Helen Lewis at the Education Centre on (01983) 529790

From September 2006, the new Enhanced Healthy Schools Status replaced the former structure. This is due to the fact that a series of Government Guidance and Documents have recognised the importance of how a Healthy School can have impact on raising pupils’ achievement, reducing health inequalities and promoting social inclusion.