Welcome to Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools. This zone is maintained by the Public Health team and provides valuable information about critical areas of health and wellbeing for teachers and staff working with children and young people. Please see the tabs above for the latest guidance, resources, signposts to services, and to register for the Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools Award.

Public Health is the science and practice of preventing disease and ill health and prolonging and promoting good health and wellbeing. We used to be part of the NHS, but we have now become part of Buckinghamshire Council while still retaining our close links with the NHS.

Promoting the health and wellbeing of children and young people is extremely important in order to provide them with a good start in life, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and resilience they need to flourish.

Healthy children have been shown to be more likely to achieve well academically, behave better in the classroom, and have greater success in their careers and personal life.

Information on these pages has been put together in direct response to the request from schools for more coordinated and concise health information to support school activities. This will assist you with delivering high-quality PSHE, (including statutory Health Education), and supports the completion of the Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools Award. We hope you find it helpful and look forward to receiving your feedback.

Please email publichealth@buckinghamshire.gov.uk for further information and support. 

This guide helps schools action protocol related to various public health aspects that schools need to take account of.

 

Impact of Harmful or Problematic use of Substances 

Individuals use substances for several reasons, and not all individuals who drink or use drugs go on to develop dependency problems. Dependency and Addiction are complex health disorders with social causes and consequences. For a significant number of people, drug and alcohol consumption is a major cause of ill health or premature mortality. Links have been evidenced with deprivation, family breakdown, offending, exploitation, and neglect. The overall harm caused by problematic drug and alcohol use impacts individuals, families, and communities across Buckinghamshire. Read more here

If you or someone you know are experiencing harmful or problematic substance use, for advice, information and or support.

Here4YOUth (under 18)

The support is free, confidential and non-judgemental with age appropriate support.

Phone: 01494 527000

Email: here4youthbucks@cranstoun.org.uk

Website: https://cranstoun.org/help-and-advice/young-people/

Referral form: https://cranstoun.org/help-and-advice/young-people/referral-form/

One Recovery Bucks (18 and over)

The support is free, confidential and non-judgemental.

Phone: 0300 7729 672

Email: orb@mpft.nhs.uk

Website: https://onerecoverybucks.org/

Families and Carers impacted by a loved one’s use of Substances 

The support is free, confidential and non-judgemental.

Phone: 0300 7729 672

Email: orb@mpft.nhs.uk

Website: https://onerecoverybucks.org/family-carers/

Teaching Resources

Alcohol 

PSHE Alcohol Lesson Pack Helps students identify the reasons why some young people choose to drink alcohol and the impact it can have on them. 

Drugs 

Visit gov.uk where you can find guidance for school leaders and staff on managing drugs, drug-related incidents within schools, pastoral support for pupils.

Please see Promoting evidence-based information on drugs via drugwise.co.uk

Evidence Review

Read the latest research into what works and how schools should be delivering drug and alcohol education: Evidence Review and approaches to teaching drug and alcohol education

Lesson plans and resources for KS 1 – 4 Drug and Alcohol Education can be found via Teaching resources

Mental health problems often develop early and, between the ages of 5-15, one in every nine children has a mental disorder (NHS Long Term Plan, 2019). Half of all mental health problems are established by the age of 14, with three-quarters experiencing symptoms by their mid-twenties.  

In Buckinghamshire’s 2021 OxWell Schools Survey, it was reported that four in ten children and young people had a low well-being score, with one in three never or rarely feeling good about themselves.  

Developing good mental health in children and young people is an important priority in the Buckinghamshire Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy and has been emphasised in recent governmental initiatives and policies; in particular, schools have been identified as having an important role in promoting good mental health in children.  

National policies and guidance  

Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision: a Green Paper 

Promoting children and young people’s mental health and well-being: A whole school or college approach 

Future in Mind 

Mental health and behaviour in schools 

Supporting mental health in schools and colleges: pen portraits of provision 

PSHE/Statutory health education 

Teaching about mental well-being (gov.uk)  

PSHE Association: Mental Health 

Better Health: Every Mind Matters 

Initiatives and training 

Buckinghamshire Mind, in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council, is offering fully funded Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Youth Mental Health First Aid and Suicide First Aid training courses  

Senior mental health lead training (gov.uk)  

Anna Freud Schools and Colleges webpage 

MindEd Hub 

MHSTs 

Young Minds mental health resources for schools 

National sources of support 

Mental health and well-being resources for teachers and staff  

Local sources of support  

For 24/7 support 7 days a week, you can call 111 and press the option for mental health services. People can use this number if they have an urgent concern about a child or young person.

Buckinghamshire CAMHs Single Point of Access

Integrated SEND Service (iSEND)

Family Information Service

Health for kids

Health for Teens

Suicide Prevention and Postvention Guide for Bucks 

Suicide Prevention and Postvention Guide for Bucks 

This guide has been developed to assist schools and colleges in Buckinghamshire to reduce deaths by suicide and respond effectively to any death by suicide within the school or college community. This local guide has been developed based on the framework of the Papyrus Guide and includes Buckinghamshire local information and support agencies available to support schools and colleges in preparing for and responding to a student death by suicide. 

Amparo (Listening Ear) - Thames Valley Suicide Bereavement Support Service 

Provides practical and emotional support for anyone (adults, children/young people, and families) affected by suicide in the Thames Valley area. Support can be provided one-to-one, to family groups, groups of colleagues or peers. This is a free service which is completely confidential and can provide short-term or longer-term support. 

Telephone: 0330 088 9255 

Overview

What exactly is a ‘balanced diet’? Think about how a football team works – you need a goalkeeper, attackers, and defenders. If you have too many attackers and no defenders, you’re likely to lose the game. It’s the same with food; without the right balance of food, your body doesn’t perform at its best.

Visit the NHS Eatwell Guide (NHS)

Visit the Be Healthy Bucks

The 5 major food groups that go together to make a balanced diet

Fruit and Vegetables

Fruit and vegetables are a key part of a balanced diet as they provide lots of fibre as well as vitamins and minerals. 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day help to protect the body from disease, with a portion being the size of a medium-sized piece of fruit such as an apple. 

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates or starchy foods, as they are sometimes called, are very filling and provide your body with lots of energy, which helps to keep your energy levels up and keep your digestive system working properly. Meals should be based on foods from this group.

Protein 

Protein-rich foods such as beans, pulses, meat, fish, and eggs are vital to building and repairing your body.  Protein should be part of your everyday diet to keep you strong and healthy. Soya products such as tofu also provide protein. Aim for at least 2 portions of fish a week, with one portion being an oily fish (for example salmon or mackerel).

Dairy

Milk and dairy products are important for your bones, teeth, muscles, and nerves. Drinking plenty of milk and eating cheese is an easy and tasty way to stock up on calcium.  Watch out though for added sugar in yogurts and milkshakes. Try to choose lower fat versions such as semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, and lower fat cheeses. Unsweetened, calcium-fortified dairy alternatives also count in this group.

Fat

Some fats are essential in the diet, however, only small amounts are needed. Try and use unsaturated oils and spreads.

Foods high in fat, salt, and sugar (including cakes, chocolate, crisps, and sugary drinks) are not required for a healthy balanced diet, try and eat them less often and in small amounts. 

Concerns about weight

Obesity is on the increase and if a child is obese now they are more likely to become an obese adult, which could lead to illness and disease. If you know your own height and weight you can work out your Body Mass Index (BMI), which can give you an idea of where your weight puts you and whether you may be overweight. BMI is the scale used for the National Child Measurement Programme which takes place annually in schools.

Use the NHS BMI calculator

Obesity can result in diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and many other illnesses so it is always a good idea to get checked out by your doctor. You should also try your best to combine a balanced diet with regular exercise. Eating more fruit and vegetables along with slow-release carbohydrates such as wholemeal bread and potatoes will help you feel full whilst keeping calories down.

There is support available in Buckinghamshire for children and young people that are overweight or obese. 

1 in 3 children in Buckinghamshire is currently overweight or very overweight, and for these children and their families MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!) is a fun way to learn about becoming fit and healthy.

Be Healthy Bucks

Be Healthy Bucks provides a variety of personalised weight management services including bespoke services for children and families. Sign up now to find out more

Overweight young people can also experience emotional difficulties.  If you know a young person would benefit from speaking to someone either online, on the phone, or in person, let them know about the free Buckinghamshire counselling service.

Useful resources for young people

Check out our Public Health Pages for more information on Healthy Eating. Also, please visit our Dental Health Page

Further information and resources on healthy eating can be found on the Better Health website, NHS choices website where you can also find the easy Meals App, or Be Healthy Bucks webpage.

The Food a fact of life organisation provides free resources about healthy eating, cooking, food, and farming for children and young people aged 3 to 18 years.

Healthy eating is also important for healthy teeth. Two useful resources have been produced by the Bucks Oral Health Improvement Team to support early year units and special schools to develop a whole-school approach to good oral health.

Download the NHS Oral health guide for early years

Download the NHS Oral Health in Schools for pupils with Learning Disabilities and Special Educational Needs

Other useful information 

School food

Schools are ideally placed to provide children and young people with positive food experiences, from providing good quality nutritious foods, an engaging and stimulating lunchtime environment, and opportunities to learn and experience food through the curriculum. A good school food culture improves children’s health and academic performance¹.

Food comes in many different forms, a hot meal or cold meal provision, packed lunches, snacks, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, tuck shops, and even access from outside especially in secondary schools that allow pupils off-site.  

Ultimately it is the governing body that is responsible for school food provision, and ensuring the food meets the statutory school food standards.

There are many resources available to assist schools to develop a positive school food culture. For further information please visit: schoolfoodplan.com

The importance of water

It’s important to drink plenty of water, especially when exercising. The body loses around 1.8 litres of water daily, so you should aim to drink 6-8 glasses a day.

Water makes up around 50-75% of your total body weight and not drinking enough can cause headaches, tiredness, and loss of concentration.  This can really affect young people in an educational setting.

Water, lower-fat milk, and lower-sugar or sugar-free drinks including tea and coffee all count. Fruit juice and smoothies also count towards your fluid consumption but they contain free sugars that can damage teeth, so limit these drinks to a combined total of 150ml per day.

It is advised that you drink around 1.8 litres of water a day, which can seem like a lot but spread over a whole day it is easy to achieve. A lot of schools encourage their pupils to carry a bottle of water around during the school day.   

PSHE and teaching about Health, Wellbeing, and Healthy Eating

Health Education is now statutory for years 1 – 11 and is a key part of PSHE. The link below provides an overview of strands from the PSHE Association which address healthy eating through the PSHE curriculum.

PSHE Association curriculum resources

 

PSHE lesson plans and activities

Curricula goals

By the end of primary school, pupils should know:

• What constitutes a healthy diet (including understanding calories and other nutritional content).
• The principles of planning and preparing a range of healthy meals.
• The characteristics of a poor diet and risks associated with unhealthy eating (including for example, obesity and tooth decay) and other behaviours (e.g. the impact of alcohol on diet or health).

By the end of secondary school, pupils should know:

• How to maintain healthy eating and the links between a poor diet and health risks, including tooth decay and cancer.

Overview

Many of us aren't too keen on the idea of exercise, but it’s one of THE most important things we should all be doing every day to stay healthy, happy, and more productive.

Be Healthy Bucks

How much physical activity is enough?

All children and young people aged between 5-18 should be doing a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate-intensity (that’s generating a sweat or becoming out of breath) exercise every day.

Remember that children don’t necessarily have to do 60 minutes all in one go! Why not achieve the target by encouraging shorter 10-minute bursts of activity?

For adults, the recommended amount is 150 minutes (2.5 hours) each week!

For more information on this visit or use this infographic from Public Health England Physical activity for children and young people: 5 to 18 years (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Why is physical activity important?

The benefits of getting children active for 60 minutes each day are huge and can be broadly split into 2 categories. 

Physiological

• improved cardiovascular fitness
• reduced chance of getting type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers
• improved bone health and stronger muscles
• reduced body fat
• maintained healthy weight
• Physically active children achieve higher levels of academic attainment than their less physically active peers, read more here: pe-and-attainment-evidence-paper-january-2022.pdf (youthsporttrust.org)

Psychological

• improved self-confidence
• improved social skills, integration into peer groups, and extended social networks
• improved self-esteem with a greater effect for children with perceptual, emotional, and learning disabilities
• reduced anxiety, stress levels, and the potential for reduced depression
• Uplifted mood

There is also growing evidence highlighting a positive association between children’s physical activity and their attitude and academic performance (really important for school work/homework/exams).

Good physical development in children is linked to other types of positive development, such as speech and coordination. Moreover, being active in childhood builds the foundation for an active adult life. Once learned, a skill like swimming or riding a bike is there for life.

Are we getting enough?

Most children (and adults) aren’t doing enough physical activity to harness all these wonderful benefits! In fact, only 57.6% of children are meeting the recommended guidelines in Buckinghamshire with girls doing less than boys.

Part of the problem is that they sit down for too long (sedentary behaviour) instead of moving. Hours are spent sitting at school, watching TV, or playing computer games – all of which can increase the risk of poor health.

Useful for parents, young people and schools

There are hundreds of activities listed across Bucks you can choose from to help you to be more active.  You can search for activities near you, from a specific day, time and location that suits you.

• Family Information Service | Buckinghamshire Family Information Service
• Find activities, groups and services near you | Bucks Online Directory | Buckinghamshire Council
• Find information and resources via Change4life
• Get Active | Buckinghamshire Council
• Public Health
• Leap (Bucks & Milton Keynes Sport & Activity Network) offer ideas, advice, guidance, support, and programmes to get involved in.
• NHS Choices Offers the latest news and evidence about being active. 
• Sport in Mind - the UK mental health sports charity
• For schools: PE & School Sport: The Annual Report 2022 - Youth Sport Trust
• For schools – the link between physical activity and attainment: pe-and-attainment-evidence-paper-january-2022.pdf (youthsporttrust.org)
• Teaching physical wellbeing and healthy lifestyles through the PSHE curriculum  PSHE Association curriculum resources

10 key evidence-based recommendations

1. Foster a positive attitude to physical activity: This is best achieved through a focus on fun and enjoyment, which may increase physical activity and at the same time enhance fitness. A focus on activities such as intense running may have a negative impact on the attitude to physical activity in some young people particularly those that are overweight or unfit.
2. Keep the main focus on physical activity: It is important to ensure that there is sufficient exposure to the physical activity element of the intervention to facilitate behaviour change. Young people may be overwhelmed with information if attempts are made to simultaneously change other health behaviours such as smoking.
3. Use a whole-school approach: It is important to ensure that there is school leadership and management structure support and that all class teachers and lunchtime supervisors are engaged. This whole-school approach includes training for all staff and additional physical activity in several curriculum areas (e.g. in biology or maths).
4. Provide an activity-friendly environment: Successful physical activity interventions aim to create safe opportunities for active play or travel. Children are more likely to be active if they have good access to facilities.
5. Include a family or home-based element: Intervention programmes appear most successful when they promote physical activities that can be done within or starting from the family home. The involvement of families has also been demonstrated to be an integral part of any school-based programme promoting physical activity.
6. Implement the intervention for at least three months to one year and ensure that sustainability is planned into the programme: Evidence suggests that longer physical activity initiatives, such as those that run for a whole school year, tend to have a stronger effect on total physical activity levels than those of a shorter duration.
7. Ensure that the voice of children, young people, parents, and carers is heard: Involvement in planning is likely to enhance participation in programmes.
8. Create inclusive programmes: The most successful interventions maximise the potential for involvement of all children and young people by ensuring activities are differentiated and that they cater to a range of abilities.
9. Change screen time habits: Interventions that have decreased screen time (i.e. TV and computer use) offer children the opportunity to increase physical activity as that time is no longer being used for sedentary screen time.
10. Provide safe walking/cycling routes: The most successful interventions have included safe walking or cycling routes to school with an identified leader for the active travel component of the initiative who might be a volunteer or paid professional (e.g. teacher).

What works in schools and colleges to increase physical activity: Guidance to increase physical activity among children and young people in schools and colleges (publishing.service.gov.uk)

 

Overview

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing in relation to sexuality, not just the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free from coercion, discrimination, or violence.

For more information on all of these, including up-to-date info on Services in your local area, visit the Sexual Health Bucks website (NHS)

For all newsletters relating to sexual and reproductive health, please visit Sexual Health Bucks e-bulletins

 

Useful Information

Wellbeing in Sexual Health Training for schools

Healthy Relationships and Consent

Contraception including C-card scheme, which enables young people to get free condoms from a large variety of access points in Buckinghamshire.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

All young people should be aware of the range of STIs and how to prevent them.

 

Exploitation

Exploitation is a form of abuse where someone is forced or coerced into doing things for the benefit of others. Read more about Exploitation and Modern Slavery and Child Sexual Exploitation

 

Sexual Assault

Sexual violence can happen to anyone; men, women, and children. The effect that it has on people will vary and different people may feel the impact of assault at different times. If someone has been raped or sexually assaulted, either recently or in the past, there is confidential support available. They will not be forced to report the assault to the police but may be helped to do so if this is what they wish.

 

Gender and sexuality

Gender and sex are two very separate terms, despite people commonly thinking they mean the same thing. Learn about the difference between gender and sex.

The Brook Charity explains this well.

RSE Resources

Sexting

 

Overview

Although the number of people smoking is at its lowest level since records began, approximately 1 in 5 adults continue to smoke in England and approximately 96,000 people die each year as a direct result of smoking.

Most smokers want to quit but find it difficult due to the heavily addictive nature of nicotine. Most adult smokers start smoking as children making it a childhood decision that becomes an adult addiction. Smokers who start before the age of 16 are twice as likely to continue smoking in later life and are also more likely to be heavier smokers. Preventing children from starting smoking is key to reducing the long-term harm caused by smoking in our society.

What can we do?

Reducing youth uptake of smoking requires us to change the adult world in which children grow up in. Parental smoking along with other significant adults smoking has a major influence on whether a young person starts smoking. Children who grow up in a home where one parent smokes are 60% more likely to start smoking themselves, if both parents smoke this risk is even greater. Protecting at-risk children requires a package of interventions that should be delivered synergistically.

• Promoting robust whole school smoke-free policies that reduce children’s exposure to smoking by adults.
• Encouraging parents to quit through supportive approaches and publicising the school smoke-free policy

Resources for young people

• Be Healthy Bucks offers advice and support to quit smoking. Although the service is not a specialist youth service it can support young people over the age of 12 years who are motivated to quit. Call 03332 300177 or visit the Be Healthy BucksWebsite for more information.
• Visit ASH who are a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco. There is a range of resources and information that can be downloaded, including information on e-cigarettes (vaping).
• For more information about health and wellbeing in Bucks please visit Health and wellbeing Bucks via NHS

E-cigarettes are becoming a concern for many schools locally. They can be difficult to spot as they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavours.

It is vital that education professionals understand the risks associated with e-cigarettes. This guide provides information that will be useful and help you when guiding young people to make informed decisions.

What are E-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are also known as e-cigs, vape pens, vapes, vape sticks, personal vaporisers, mods, tanks, and e-hookahs.

E-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a liquid (or vape juice), often containing nicotine, propylene glycol or vegetable glycerine, water, and flavourings into a vapour that is inhaled by the user. E-cigarettes typically consist of a mouthpiece, battery, and cartridge or tank containing e-liquid solution. Using an e-cigarette is known as “vaping.”

Data on e-cigarettes

Globally, the use of e-cigarettes has become increasingly popular in recent years among adults and young people. Around 7% of the adult population in the UK use e-cigarettes, which is around 3.1 million vapers. Data on youth vaping in 2021 indicate that 9% of pupils aged 11-15 currently use e-cigarettes. This is increasing year on year. Anecdotal information locally suggests this trend is similar for Buckinghamshire. 

E-cigarettes: Useful facts for teachers

• Uptake is influenced by many factors including peer pressure, the need to fit in with friends, curiosity, the influence of family members or friends who vape or smoke, and the misconception that it is harmless.
• Children/young people buy e-cigarettes in shops, online, from friends, or given to them by others.
• The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 prohibits e-cigarettes to be sold or given to anyone under the age of 18.
• Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards monitor underage sales of e-cigarettes and work closely with Public Health Buckinghamshire to educate the public, parents, and children on the use of these products.
• Information about retailers selling e-cigarettes to children/young people should be reported to Buckinghamshire and Surrey trading standards at www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk/share-information or by calling 0300 999 6999.
• Vaping an e-cigarettes the facts video 

Risks associated with e-cigarettes

E-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking but can lead to nicotine addiction. They can increase exposure to harmful chemicals. Reported side effects include vomiting, nausea, coughing, shortness of breath, mouth irritation, and asthma. Defective products may catch fire or explode, leading to burns and injuries.

Risk of nicotine

Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical. It can affect brain development in young people, impacting their learning, memory, concentration, and mood, causing anxiety and depression. It can also lead to addiction and physical dependence. Children and young people may become dependent on nicotine more quickly than adults.

E-cigarettes and stop smoking services

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), NHS guidance for smokers, and the latest NICE guidance all support the use of e-cigarettes as a tool to quit smoking. E-cigarettes are the most popular stop-smoking aid with an estimated 2.7 to 2.8 million adult users in 2020. Products containing nicotine are not recommended for young people, except for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to support smoking cessation for those aged 12 years and over.

Useful Resources

• ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) guidance for schools to support staff in developing evidence-based policies around vaping.
• ASH factsheet: Use of e-cigarettes among young people in Great Britain 2022
• ASH brief for local authorities on youth vaping
• South East Tobacco Control Network Position Statement on Electronic Cigarettes 2021
• Frank youth-focused information about drugs
• Free local stop smoking service Stopping Smoking - Be Healthy Bucks
• E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products evidence review (gov.uk) 
• Nicotine vaping in England 2022 evidence update (gov.uk)
• Decrease in smoking and drug use among school children but increase in vaping new report shows (NHS)
• https://www.ncsct.co.uk (Cigarettes)
• Vaping Factsheet (PDF Print)
• ADPH Advice & Guidance on Managing Vapes in Schools 

 

Resources for Buckinghamshire Schools

Vaping Poster A - The Facts 

Vaping Poster B - The Facts 

Vaping Leaflet- The Facts for Parents and Teachers 

Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools Awards

Buckinghamshire Public Health is delighted to offer all state-funded primary, secondary and special schools access to an online self-evaluation toolkit, leading to Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools status. This funded offer is available from June 2022 until March 2025. On completion of the award, schools will receive a certificate and validation of Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools status for 3 years.

Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools is a whole school, whole systems approach to health and well-being. The Healthy Schools Award and the support provided by the Buckinghamshire Public Health Team will enable schools to evaluate and strengthen good practices and improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people. A Healthy Schools approach provides a cohesive, collaborative, and holistic way for schools to review and develop best practices in health education.

The Healthy Schools Award is part of the ongoing work of the Buckinghamshire Public Health team to support high-quality PSHE, Personal Development, statutory Health, and Relationships/ RSE education and to improve health outcomes for children and young people. The local approach includes providing advice, guidance, signposting to high-quality resources and services, CPD, collaborative working, sharing good practices, support with compliance with statutory duties, and funding targeted initiatives for children and young people. Please see the tabs on the Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools webpage for further guidance on Healthy Eating, Mental Health, Physical Activity, Smoking, Substance Misuse, and Sexual Health.

Schools can achieve Buckinghamshire Healthy School Status by completing the national and internationally used online self-evaluation toolkit  School Health Check.

There are four core aspects

• PSHE
• Healthy eating
• Physical activity
• Social, Emotional, and Mental Health

Each core aspect has 10 key strands based on a whole school approach model. Each key strand has descriptors, and developmental next step planning built into the self-evaluation framework.

The online school health check is simple; schools have up to three years to register, complete, and gain healthy school status. A training session on how to use the online tool, and ongoing support from the Buckinghamshire public health PSHE lead to review, develop, and enhance current provision will be available.

To register for the School Health Check:

1. Go to Healthy Schools and click ‘Register’.
2. In the ‘Local Authority’ section enter Buckinghamshire Council.
3. Find your school on the ‘choose school’ drop-down menu
4. Complete the required registration details, and for all billing details please enter ‘Buckinghamshire Council ‘. There is no cost to the school.
5. You will then receive an email confirming your registration and will be provided with access to your account.

Once registered the Buckinghamshire Public Health PSHE lead will be in touch to support your school to achieve healthy school status.

 

What is a healthy school?

• A school that places health and wellbeing at the heart of school life
• A school that promotes positive health for all, teaching pupils how to look after their own physical, social, emotional, and mental health, and supporting staff and families to have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to maintain a healthy lifestyle
• A school that recognises the relationship between health and wellbeing and academic achievement
• A school that champions health and wellbeing and is committed to ongoing improvement and development
• A school where the whole school community works together to improve everyone’s health, well-being, and happiness, now and in the future