The Healthy Schools Process
Task Group
Achieving National Healthy School status requires schools to meet criteria in four core themes. These criteria not only relate to the taught curriculum but also to the emotional, physical and learning environment.
Achieving National Healthy School Status will demonstrate that your school is committed to the Every Child Matters agenda and will fulfil section 4 of the Self Evaluation Framework.
To gain recognition you will need to follow these ten simple steps to success.
Set up a Whole School Task Group
Action Planning and Identifying Outcomes
Self Validation of Healthy Schools Status
Celebrate and build on your Success
Ensure Healthy Schools is Embedded
Engage
Contact the Healthy Schools Team to arrange for a presentation of the Programme to key representatives of the whole school community.
Set up a Whole School Task Group
The whole school task group should be effective in engaging the whole school community to bring about change. This is a whole school approach. The task group will be the mechanism to develop and maintain an environment that supports learning and promotes the health and well-being of all through consultation and participation.
This could include:
A designated Healthy Schools Co-ordinator, Headteacher, a member of the Senior Management Team, PSHE Co-ordinator, School Sports Co-ordinator, the School Nurse, Caterers, Teaching Assistants, Governors, parents, pupils and any other appropriate members of the school community.
It is important the task group meets regularly to keep up-to-date on progress made.
Audit Current Practices
Once you have registered on the National Healthy Schools website, you will need to complete the on-line audit tool on the National Healthy Schools website. The audit tool covers the four key themes; PSHE, Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Emotional Health and Wellbeing and should be used with your task group to assess where your school is now and what you need to do to move forward. The on-line audit tool has been designed to help you identify areas of good practice, areas for development and support links to help you achieve your targets.
You will be required to provide minimum evidence against every criteria but don’t be put off by this as you may find that many of the criteria are already successfully embedded! Use the prompts to help clarify the minimum evidence.
Action Planning and Identifying Outcomes
Once you have completed the audit you may find that there are criteria which require action. Discuss these with the task group and prioritise the action points and agree key outcomes from a baseline. For support in action planning, setting outcomes 
(240.00 KB) and meeting criteria, contact the Healthy Schools Team.
National Healthy Schools Outcomes Booklet 
(1.38 MB)
The Healthy Schools Co-ordinator can ensure that everyone has a role to play. The whole school should be involved in achieving Healthy Schools status.
Meeting Criteria and Outcomes
You may find the following links useful to help you achieve Healthy Schools status:
If you can’t find what you are looking for please contact a member of the Healthy Schools Team.
Self-Validation of Healthy Schools Status
When all criteria have been met and outcomes achieved, you will be ready to self-validate and apply to be recorded on the national database. You will be able to download the Self-Validation form from the National website and after signing, this needs to be sent to the Worcestershire Healthy Schools Team at Wildwood Way, PO Box 73, Spetchley Road, Worcester WR5 2YA.
Quality Assurance
The Quality Assurance Group (QUAG) consists of the Healthy Schools Team and partners from Health and Children's Services. Their role is to discuss each school's self validation. In most instances schools will automatically proceed to achieve National Healthy Schools status. However, if a member of the QUAG seeks clarification based on the minimum evidence required, you will be contacted by the Healthy Schools Team for clarification. The next meeting of the QUAG will take place on Thursday, 5 March 2009and your on-line audit form must be received by Tuesday, 24 February 2009 to be considered at this meeting.
Moderation Process
The Quality Assurance Group selects 10% of self-validated schools for a moderation visit. Two themes and two outcomes will be selected for the focus of the visit. If gaps are identified, then the school has six months to fulfil the minimum evidence.
Celebrate and build on your Success
Your school will be recorded on the national database and you will received a national certificate and plaque. You are welcome to send in your case studies of exemplary work to be displayed on our website.
Schools are encouraged to continue with and build on their work within the four themes.
After two years you will be encouraged to self review in preparation for re-validation after three years. For advice on self review and re-validation, please contact the Healthy Schools Team.
Ensure Healthy Schools is Embedded
Once your school has achieved National Healthy School status, it will be up to you to ensure your school continues to be a Healthy School.
Tips for continuing success:
- Hold regular task group meetings to review the audit and ensure everything is still in place!
- Ensure all new staff, pupils, parents are aware of the school’s Healthy Schools ethos and practice.
- Attend Healthy Schools network meetings
- Further training opportunities
- Maintain partnerships:
School Sports Co-ordinators
SEAL (30.50 KB)
Sexual Health Education Team - support for Sex and Relationship Education at KS3&4 (01905 681744)
And of course keep in touch with the Healthy Schools Team!
Last modification: 15:55:00, 26th November, 2008 by Stephanie Mowbray
Review date: 24th February, 2009
