The importance of the whole school approach

Being healthy is not just about children and young people, it's about the whole school community; this is at the heart of achieving National Healthy School Status. And it's not just what happens in the curriculum, it's about the entire school day. By adopting the whole school approach, schools ensure full engagement with the school community and secure sustainable improvements.

In the wider school context to the whole school approach 

• there is identified practice to address equality and social inclusion, and this informs the development and implementation of activities
• the impact of training on the success of healthy schools activities is regularly evaluated and informs the development of the programme
• the school delivers the specific themes according to the framework in the National Curriculum and in accordance with statutory requirements and non-statutory guidance
• pupils' views are a core element in developing school activities, including the views of those with special educational needs and specific health conditions, as well as disaffected pupils, young carers and teenage parents
• the whole school community (pupils, staff, parents, governors and community partners) is invited to take part in policy development, physical, social and cultural activity and to support each other's learning
• and the school provides a culture and environment to support the taught PSHE and citizenship curriculum.

There are ten elements to the whole school approach.