Healthy Schools London Award Programme Celebration 27th June City Hall

The Healthy Schools London programme was launched in May 2013, through the initiative of the Mayor of London. It connects with the very successful voluntary National Healthy Schools programme in which 93% of schools participated.

Lions Lifeskills has supported the Healthy Schools London programme for seven years. The programme contains bronze, silver and gold level awards for schools participating.

 
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Schools have been supported by Lions Clubs on attaining each of the awards by donating a Lions Lifeskills resource for use in the classroom setting.

Lion David Skinner from the South East Lions District said “Lions have been delighted to support this fantastic initiative. The aim of the awards scheme is to support and recognise the importance of work in schools to promote children and young people’s health”.

The Healthy Schools London programme sets out to help London’s children stay healthy and happy as they grow up. In this context, what happens at school every day is really important. Schools can help children lead a healthy lifestyle directly – to make healthy food choices at lunchtime, to be active at and on the way to school. More widely, schools can help children learn about their health, and develop their motivation and self-respect to make healthy choices.

The benefits go beyond health as we know that when children are healthy and happy at school, they can achieve more. Many schools in London are already doing great work to support their pupils to be healthier.

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The new programme recognises and celebrates schools that are making a difference for their pupils. By working together with our colleagues in London’s boroughs, we want to build a programme that schools are proud to be part of, and help London’s children to be healthy, happy and achieve.

The Benefits

Taking part in Healthy Schools, and working successfully for the tiered awards will enable schools to directly support the health and wellbeing of their pupils and staff.

An evaluation of the national programme on which Healthy Schools London programme is based showed the following tangible outcomes:

  • Increased amount of opportunities that children and young people have to be physically active in and out of schools

  • Increased participation of children and young people in physical activity in and out of school

  • Improved links between schools and communities that promote physical activity

  • Increased school meal uptake including free school meals

  • Improved children and young people’s access to healthy packed lunches and snacks throughout the school day.

Participating schools have also reported reduced incidence of bullying, improved behaviour and improved attendance. Head teachers have also said that they found the Healthy Schools Programme helpful as a general school improvement tool.

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