Schools across West Northamptonshire have received awards recognising their commitment to going above and beyond in improving the health and wellbeing of their pupils.
A total of 40 schools across the area received the bronze and silver Healthy Schools Awards accreditation, which is presented by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC).
This is the second wave of schools to receive the accolade following the launch of the awards in January this year, and each school was invited to a celebration event.
The schools which have achieved the status have met the criteria for certain standards across areas including mental health and wellbeing, healthy eating, physical activity and PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education). The criteria has been specifically designed and tailored to Northamptonshire, which makes it unique compared to other healthy schools awards.
The schools that achieved this prestigious award are:
Silver award:
Lumbertubs Primary
Spring Lane Primary
Falconers Hill Academy
Billing Brook School
On Track Education
Croughton All Saints CofE Primary
The Bliss Charity School
Wootton Primary
St James Primary
Bronze award:
Barby CE Primary
Briar Hill Primary
Bridgewater Primary
Cedar Road Primary
Crick Primary
Eastfield Academy
Gayton CE Primary
Greenfields Specialist School for Communication
Hardingstone Academy
Headlands Primary
Hopping Hill Primary
Hospital and Outreach
Hunsbury Park Primary
Kingsthorpe Grove Primary
Malcolm Arnold Preparatory Academy
Queen Eleanor Academy
Newnham Primary
Northampton School for Girls
Parklands Primary
St Mary's Primary
Standens Barn Primary
Stoke Bruene CE Primary
The Parker Academy - E-ACT
Thomas Becket Catholic School
Tiffield CE Primary
Towcester Church of England Primary School
Walgrave Academy
Waynflete Infants’
Welton Academy
Whittlebury CE Primary
Yardley Gobian CE Primary.
The majority of these schools have already signed up to start working towards either the Healthy Schools Silver or Gold Award following this achievement. Silver involves them focusing on a universal and targeted health priority in their setting and putting an intervention in place. Gold focuses on schools measuring the impact of their interventions and embedding it longer term into their school.
People can visit the Council's Healthy Schools Award Programme web pages for more information
Charlie Vickers. SENDCo at Hunsbury Park Primary School, said: “The support and encouragement from the Healthy Schools Service was invaluable throughout the process. There were lots of things we already did that we could use, so it was not lots of additional work.
"It was good to acknowledge all we do in school that helps our staff and pupils to be healthy. Our children have been very proactive about supporting mental health initiatives. It also helped us to pinpoint where we could improve and what to work on next. Achieving the Bronze Award was a proud moment, that was celebrated by the whole school. We are looking forward to working on our Silver Award.”
Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at West Northamptonshire Council, said: "It is fantastic to see the second cohort of schools who have received the bronze level award as part of our healthy schools’ programme. Gaining this accreditation recognises their commitment to health and wellbeing and the ongoing work to improve the whole school’s wellbeing."
Cllr Matt Golby, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Wellbeing and Health Integration at West Northamptonshire Council, said: "I am delighted that 40 of our schools have received this award that celebrates their commitment to keeping children across West Northamptonshire healthy. The number of schools who have participated in this scheme is so encouraging, and I am proud of West Northamptonshire Council’s continued effort to keeping our residents safe and well."
Contact Information
West Northamptonshire Council Communications Team
[email protected]