National Healthy Schools Programme
 | The Kent Healthy Schools Programme is accredited by and follows the National Healthy Schools Programme. This programme sets standards and provides guidance for all schools and programmes in England through a regional and local network. It was launched in 1999 following commitments made in the Excellence in Schools White Paper (1997) and Saving Lives, Our Healthier Nation White Paper (1999) and is a joint initiative between the Department of Health(DH) and Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). All Local Education Authorities have their own Healthy Schools Programme. The Healthy Living Blueprint was published by the DCSF in 2004 to support schools in becoming healthier and later the same year The Public Health White Paper, Choosing Health, outlined the government’s intention to introduce more rigorous and nationally consistent criteria for the programme. |
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Every Child Matters and the Children Act (2004) highlighted five national outcomes for children:
The National Healthy Schools Programme helps schools meet the five outcomes which are part of OfSTED inspection. How the Healthy Schools Programme meets the five national outcomes of Every Child Matters |
| As a result of these new government priorities, the original National Healthy Schools Programme has been revised. In September 2005, the 'National Healthy Schools Status - A Guide for Schools' was published which outlines the revised national programme, with specific criteria for four core themes. This National Healthy Schools Programme guidance outlines the four aims of the programme: | |
To achieve these aims schools need to show evidence demonstrating how they contribute to the five national outcomes as described in Every Child Matters and the Children Act (2004). | |
| All of the UK and most other European countries have healthy schools initiatives, here you can find information on Scotland, Wales and the European Network of Health Promoting Schools. |