Six primary schools in North Yorkshire have been recognised for their efforts in promoting healthy lifestyles for their pupils.
Dozens of children gathered at East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre near Whitby to celebrate the schools’ progress as part of North Yorkshire Council’s Healthy Schools Programme. This initiative encourages schools to improve the health, wellbeing, and resilience of their students.
The schools involved include Oakbridge Community Primary School in Hinderwell, Hawsker-cum-Stainsacre Church of England Primary School, Lealholm Primary School, Hertford Vale Church of England Primary School, All Saints Church of England Primary School in Harrogate, and Fylingdales Church of England Primary School. These schools are working towards bronze, silver, or gold Healthy Schools status by meeting criteria in four areas: active lives, food in schools, emotional health and wellbeing, and personal, social, and health education.
The students have worked on a variety of initiatives, such as improving school dinners, creating staff and pupil wellbeing champions, and finding new ways to stay active during the school day.
At the celebration event, some schools received awards. Hawsker-cum-Stainsacre and Fylingdales Primary Schools were presented with the gold award, while Hertford Vale Church of England Primary School earned silver.
Cllr Michael Harrison, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, said: “It is encouraging to see the work that is under way in our schools in developing healthy pupils and staff. The award promotes being healthy both physically, through the food you eat and how active you are, and emotionally, by learning how to look after your mind as well as your body.”
North Yorkshire’s Healthy Schools Programme, now in its fifth year, has grown significantly, with 270 schools from across the county participating. More than 140 schools have already achieved a Healthy Schools award.
During the event, children took part in a range of hands-on activities, including outdoor play, educational sessions with the East Barnby team, and learning about healthy eating. Pupils also created “happiness boxes” with Compass Phoenix, a local health and wellbeing service. These boxes, decorated by the students, serve as a space for them to turn to when they feel overwhelmed or anxious.
Louise Wallace, North Yorkshire Council’s director of public health, congratulated the schools for their hard work. “This successful initiative is a great opportunity for the whole school communities to get involved in promoting health and wellbeing,” she said.
Cllr Alyson Baker, North Yorkshire Council’s young person’s champion, also attended the event and presented the awards. She said: “Working towards an awards scheme like this provides opportunities for children and young people to make healthier choices. I’m glad to see hundreds of schools taking part in our Healthy Schools Programme.”
The Healthy Schools Programme has recently expanded to include schools in York, helping spread the message of health and wellbeing across a wider region. Schools in both North Yorkshire and York interested in joining the programme can find more information on the Healthy Schools website.
For more details, visit www.healthyschoolsnorthyorks.org.
