Top Of The class For Promoting Health

Issue Date: Tuesday 17 January 2005

HIGHLAND SCHOOLS ARE TOP OF THE CLASS FOR PROMOTING HEALTH

All 29 secondary, 184 primary and 6 special needs schools in the Highlands are now officially recognised as being `Health Promoting Schools’, two years ahead of the rest of Scotland. This tremendous achievement has been made possible by the dedication and hard work of pupils and staff who are leading the way forward in changing attitudes towards health and fitness.

In 2003 each school in Scotland was set the target by the Scottish Executive to become a Health Promoting School by 2007. The status is given to schools that adopt a complete approach to promoting the physical, social, spiritual, mental and emotional well-being of all pupils and staff.

The Health Promoting Schools initiative in Highland is delivered in partnership between The Highland Council and NHS Highland who have designed and developed their own criteria for achieving health promoting status and a system for assuring the quality of HPS awards.

Chairman of Education, Culture and Sport, Councillor Andy Anderson said: "Every Primary and Secondary school in the Highlands should be proud of their fantastic achievement. The fact that we are ahead of the rest of Scotland just goes to prove the commitment and hard work of staff and pupils to adopt healthier and more active lifestyles. This is just the beginning. Health Promotion is a way of life and all Highland schools now look forward to building on their great success."

Chairman of NHS Highland, Gary Coutts said: "A few years ago it was not unusual for children in Highland to have chips with every school dinner and to be able to buy sweets at the school canteen. It’s great to see this has been turned around in such a short time. A good diet is essential for children’s development and to ensure they grow into healthy adults. I applaud the work undertaken in reaching this achievement."

Highland schools have had to prove their health promoting credentials by meeting rigorous standards under ten different headings including nutrition, exercise and ethos. Each school then had to produce a portfolio of evidence and undergo a review visit from a team of dedicated accreditation officers drawn from The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service and NHS Highland.

Director of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service, Bruce Robertson is delighted that Highland Schools are leading the way in Scotland. He said: "This is an excellent example of good practice when it comes to partnership working. Officials from the Council and NHS Highland have formed a strong dedicated team who have worked hard to help schools reach their target. The standard has been outstanding and without the support and enthusiasm of parents, teachers and pupils, we would not be so far ahead of the game. I would like to congratulate everyone involved for their commitment to promoting good health to young people."

Schools have developed a wealth of activities that contribute to their health promoting status, including: healthy tuck shops and school nutrition action groups, peer mediation schemes, staff health and wellbeing events, the production of health magazines and the development of school gardens and work on community projects.

Mrs Moira Leslie, Head Teacher at Raigmore Primary School, the first school in the Highlands to be accredited said: "Being a health promoting school is much more than being able to put up a certificate on the wall. In our school, health promotion has become a way of life. Day in and day out we strive to improve the health and well being of our pupils and staff. We believe that promoting positive attitudes about health issues will leave a lasting impression on pupils and lead them towards healthier lifestyles which will stay with them for the rest of their lives."

Louise Thomas, Health Promoting Schools Manager said: "Even in the relatively short period of the last three years, there are clear signs that the health of young people in Highland is improving. As well as recognising the tremendous effort the schools have made I would particularly like to highlight The Highland Council School Catering Service and Active Schools Co-ordinators who have made a very positive impact on healthy school meals and increased physical activity - all departments have contributed bringing a sense of corporate responsibility across the NHS and Highland Council. We aim to continue to support all pupils, parents and staff to build on their status and ultimately the health and wellbeing of each whole school community by providing support, training and sharing good practice."

For further information please contact Louise Thomas, Health Promoting School Manager on 01463 704959.