The Healthy Schools Programme as a tool for school improvement 

North Tyneside has had a Healthy Schools Program for almost 30 years and school improvement has always been at the heart of it.  

The Healthy School programme promotes health and wellbeing in any school. It provides a structured whole school approach that supports the physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of students, teachers, and staff. The programme focuses on promoting healthy behaviours, providing education on physical and mental health, and creating a positive school culture. The benefits of implementing such a programme extends far beyond the physical health of the school community, impacting academic performance, behaviour, and overall school success. 

 

Healthy School programme process 

The Healthy Schools programme in North Tyneside is based on a whole school approach and includes criteria that are listed in an audit. This audit is a self-assessment tool that can be used to evaluate how health and well-being are promoted across the whole school community. The audit should be completed by a team of people, to reflect the whole school approach and includes a variety of essential criteria organised under the following headings: 

• Leadership, management and managing change 
• Policy to inform practice 
• PSHE education intent, implementation, and impact  
• Physical Activity 
• Healthy Eating 
• Mental Health and Emotional wellbeing 
• Giving children and young people a voice 
• Safeguarding and provision of support services for pupils 
• Staff health and wellbeing 
• Achievements and development plans developments  

 

It is not just a ‘tick box’ exercise 

When completed robustly and honestly the Healthy Schools Audit can be used to support and evidence how the school not only promotes health and wellbeing but the broader personal development of the pupils. As with all initiatives the best results are seen when the process is valued, time is invested, and everyone is on board. It will make little difference if one person is merely tasked with filling in the form for the purposes of getting a logo!   

Some benefits of Healthy Schools Programs include: 

 

• Improved Academic Performance: A healthy body contributes to a healthy mind. Research has consistently shown that students who engage in regular physical activity and have a balanced diet perform better academically.  Through PSHE education, which is an essential criterion, pupils learn to build positive relationships, to recognise and manage emotions, develop resilience, set goals and to aspire, skills that help to break down barriers to learning.  

• Establishing Lifelong Healthy Habits:  By educating pupils about the importance of physical activity, mental health and nutrition, the healthy schools programme contributes to the development of healthy, lifelong habits which promote overall well-being and personal development. 

• Creating a Positive School Culture: The Healthy Schools Programme incorporates initiatives that celebrate difference and diversity, promote tolerance, and prevent all forms of bullying. A healthy school environment therefore goes beyond physical health and facilitates a supportive atmosphere where pupils feel valued and can achieve their potential. 

• Positive Impact on Behaviour: The Healthy Schools Programme incorporates strategies that promote positive behaviour. These include the approach to reward systems and the value placed on pupil voice when developing behaviour policies.  

 

The promotion of structured physical activity during lunchtimes and breaktimes has also been seen to lead to improved behaviour, not only during these times but back in the classroom, where issues caused by breaktime fallouts can often be felt.   

• Enhanced Focus and Concentration: Proper nutrition and regular physical activity are linked to improved concentration and focus. Students who eat nutritious meals and engage in physical activity are better equipped to stay alert and attentive in the classroom. This can lead to increased productivity and a more conducive learning environment.  

 

To summarise... 

Investing time and effort in the Healthy Schools Programme is an investment in the overall success and well-being of pupils, teachers, and the entire school community. Promoting healthy habits in a safe and inclusive environment, has many positive outcomes not only which support academic performance but personal development overall.  

If you would like to find out more about the Healthy Schools programme in North Tyneside please contact elaine.robson@northtyneside.gov.uk . 

More information about Education North Tyneside's Inclusion and Wellbeing support can be found here: Inclusion and Well-being - Education North Tyneside

 

By Elaine Robson