Vale of Glamorgan Network of Healthy Schools Scheme

The Vale of Glamorgan Network of Healthy Schools Scheme is part of the Welsh Network of Healthy Schools Schemes, (WNHSS) funded by Welsh Government.

The aim of the scheme is to promote and protect the physical. emotional and social health and well being of children and young people in Wales. 

Recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as playing a key role in promoting the health of children and young people, the Healthy Schools Scheme has been rolled out across Wales since 2000, and is part of Schools for Health in Europe (SHE)

All maintained Nursery, Primary, Secondary, Special Schools and Pupil Referral Units in the Vale of Glamorgan, as well as Headlands Action for Children School, participate in the Vale of Glamorgan Healthy Schools Scheme.

The Vale scheme is managed by Public Health Wales, and actively supported by the Local Education Authority and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

The underlying principles of the scheme are:

• The importance of pupil participation in core areas of school life which affect health and well-being
• The importance of the understanding and commitment of the whole school community
• A positive approach to health

Equity

Links to other national and local programmes and policies

Schools are helped and supported to identify and implement a range of activities and programmes that reflect national and local health gain targets, set within a framework of:

• Leadership and communication
• Curriculum
• Ethos and environment
• Family and community involvement

Schools are required to develop three annual health actions for the first 3 years, or phases, and thereafter to adopt a major health gain target over two, 2 year phases for phases 4 and 5.

At the end of each year schools are assessed. Those schools that have met the required standard and delivered their Healthy Schools targets are awarded a plaque from Welsh Assembly Government, presented at an annual awards ceremony.

 2009-2010 saw the introduction of the WNHSS National Quality Award, which schools can aim to achieve once they have reached phase 6.

To achieve this award schools will have to have participated in the scheme for a minimum of 9 years, and to have covered and sustained all the seven health topic areas set out in the WAG “Indicators for the WNHSS National Quality Award”.

• Some examples of the many initiatives that schools have introduced in partnership with other organisations include:
• A Whole School Food and Fitness Policy
• After School Cookery Clubs
• A School Nutrition Action Group (SNAG)
• Healthy lunchboxes/Fruit Tuck Shop/Healthier vending/Water on desks
• Programmes to improve emotional literacy e.g.SEAL

Anti-bullying initiatives

• A School Council
• Enhanced sex related education
• Re-cycling and energy conservation programme
• Gardening clubs
• Sun safety
• Hand-washing initiatives
• First Aid training
• A School travel plan
• Safe Routes to School
• Active playtimes

For more information about the scheme please contact:

Carol Maher, Vale of Glamorgan Healthy Schools Co-ordinator

Tel 02920 350627  email: carol.maher@wales.nhs.uk