Ealing schools in good health

Twenty awarded for efforts in promoting good health

Twenty local schools have awarded the government's Healthy Schools Accreditation in recognition of the excellent work they are doing to promote children's health and the health of their whole school community.

Each of the schools identified specific aspects of health to focus on, and twelve schools presented their findings and achievements on the day. The event was a great success with children aged between 6 and sixteen performing songs, poems and plays about their health projects.

The many innovative projects organised by schools included the design and construction of a peace garden, the introduction of 'playground buddies' to resolve problems in the playground, a gardening club, and a family literacy course to help parents to work with their children. Other schools chose more traditional aspects of health to address in their projects such as healthy eating and physical activity.

Councillor Sonika Nirwal, Cabinet Member for Education said: "At a time when children's health is rarely out of the headlines I am extremely pleased that so many of our schools are reaching these high standards in health. And although this accreditation recognises progress in the more obvious areas of school health, such as sensible eating and exercise, it is also far more wide-reaching. Many of the schools involved have looked at issues such as bullying, leadership and teachers' wellbeing, incorporating the whole school community into their health programmes."

The schools that will receive the healthy schools accreditation are: Acton High School, Berrymede Infant School, Downe Manor Primary, Edward Betham CE Primary School, Dormers Wells High School, Three Bridges Primary School, Twyford C of E High School, Featherstone High School, Horsenden Primary School, Havelock Primary School, St John Fisher RC Primary School, Wood End Junior School, Our Lady of Visitation RC Primary School, West Acton Primary School, Lady Margaret Primary School, Mayfield Primary School, Perivale Primary School, North Primary School, Oldfield Primary School, Selborne Primary School

Funding for the various schemes came from a variety of sources including the LEA, the Healthy School Scheme, private local partners, 'Friends' of the schools, and other organisations.

June 21, 2004