09 September 2009
Rouge Bouillon school has become the latest Jersey primary school to be awarded the 'National Healthy Schools Status' in recognition of its work with parents, staff and the community to promote a healthier lifestyle.
It takes 2 to 3 years to achieve this status, which is jointly supported by Education, Sport and Culture and Health and Social Services. To achieve the award, schools need to develop good practice in promoting health across 4 key areas:
- personal, social and health education (PSHE)
- healthy eating
- emotional health and well-being (EH&WB)
- physical activity
In recognition of their achievement, students, staff and parents will be celebrating with a community picnic in the school grounds at 12.15pm on Friday 11 September, where they will be presented with a certificate and plaque by Deputy Andrew Green, Assistant Minister for ESC, and Andrew Heaven, Head of Health Improvement.
Headteacher James Speight said: “I am delighted the school has achieved its Healthy Schools Status. Although it has taken us a number of years to meet the criteria we hope this is just the beginning and we can continue to build on our success.
“The staff have been terrific in encouraging pupils to establish good habits and parent support has been fantastic. The Healthy Schools programme made us think about values and principles and complemented the work we were already doing on the curriculum.”
The UK validator for the Healthy Schools Programme, Sue Falconer, was very impressed during her visit to the school in June. She said: “The emphasis placed on promoting positive emotional health and well-being was evidenced by the friendliness and courtesy of the staff and pupils.”
Rouge Bouillon is the fifth Jersey primary school to have achieved this recognition. A further 12 schools are currently working towards National Healthy Schools status.