Healthy Schools Plus

The Government will "continue to deepen the impact of the Healthy Schools programme in supporting schools to contribute to the health and wellbeing of children and young people, especially the most vulnerable. Building on the existing strengths of Healthy Schools as a universal programme, additional money will be invested in a three-year pilot programme to target additional support at the most disadvantaged. The pilot, to be run in the South West, will work with schools and other education providers to identify local priorities in tackling health inequalities. The pilot will develop strategies – including working with parents, carers and members of the wider community – to bring about healthier behaviour. In particular, the pilot will focus on obesity, mental health, sexual health and substance misuse. Consideration will be given to other ways of further focusing the programme on tackling health inequalities"

Health Inequalities: progress and next steps (DoH, 2008) page 35

Healthy Schools Plus aims to

• identify and address local health priorities
• ensure that health and wellbeing are key areas of school improvement
• prioritise the most disadvantaged children and young people
• support schools to encourage children and young people to embrace healthier behaviour
• build on the success of the national Healthy Schools programme
• help schools identify and tackle their key health priorities
• work closely with parents, carers and the wider community to bring about healthier behaviours

We're recruiting schools to join the Healthy Schools Plus pilot

The pilot will be taking place over 3 years (from 2008-2011).  For more about the pilot, what it involves and how to express an interest click here.