Seven schools in Cumbria will be reaccredited as healthy schools in an awards ceremony at Rheged Discovery Centre in Penrith this Wednesday (24 January).
The county's schools work with the Cumbria Healthy Schools Team to develop health related activities in schools centred around social and health education, healthy eating, physical activity, and emotional health and wellbeing.
Health initiatives are developed in a partnership between Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Primary Care Trust.
All of the schools receiving awards previously accredited as healthy schools in 2002/2003. However, new Government guidelines meant that the schools need to be reaccredited. They will now hold the status until 2010.
The schools receiving reaccreditation plaques at the awards ceremony are:
• Dean Barwick School, Grange over Sands
• John Ruskin School, Coniston
• Levens School, Kendal
• Sedbergh Primary School
• St Gregory's School Workington
• St Pauls School, Barrow
• St Pius School, Barrow
Guests attending the ceremony include Professor John Ashton, Acting Director of Public Health Cumbria PCT and John Swainston, Head of Schools and Learning Service, Children’s Services.
County councillor Philip Chappelhow is cabinet spokesman for Children's Services. He said:
"I would like to congratulate all the schools receiving reaccreditation awards. That they have been judged healthy a second time demonstrates the hard work and commitment that they, and the Cumbria Healthy Schools Team, have put in.
"Health in our young people is a very important issue, and the lessons learnt whilst at school will hopefully stand them in good stead in future years."
ENDS
Further information from Alison Lister, media team on 01228 606335