Healthy schools win 23 National Quality Awards in 2018-19
Congratulations to the 23 schools in Wales who received the National Quality Award for health and wellbeing over the 2018-19 academic year.
This is the highest honour a school (nursery, primary, secondary and special) can obtain through the Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes. The total number of schools that have achieved the award is now 202.
The Scheme is delivered by Public Health Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government and takes a whole school approach to promoting health and wellbeing. It works across 22 local authority areas in Wales and promotes the health of all who learn, work and play within the school.
The Scheme’s approach addresses the ethos, policies and practices of each school, while also focusing on what happens in the classroom and taking account of the community beyond the school.
It supports schools to enable pupils and staff to take control over aspects of the school environment which influence their health in addition to formally teaching pupils about how to lead healthy lives.
The National Quality Award recognises excellence in whole school practice across a number of health-related themes including:
• Food and fitness (nutrition and physical activity)
• Mental and emotional health and wellbeing, including staff wellbeing
• Personal development and relationships, including sex and relationships education
• Substance use and misuse, including alcohol, smoking and drug use and misuse (legal, illegal, and prescription)
• The environment, including eco-initiatives and improving the school and wider environment
• Safety, including a variety of topics such as child protection, sun safety, internet safety, and first aid
• Hygiene across school and non-school settings
The 23 schools in Wales that received the National Quality Award in 2018-19 are:
• Ysgol y Parc
• Dwr-Y-Felin
• Welshpool CinW Primary
• Pengam Primary
• St Illtyds Primary School
• Ysgol Esgob Morgan
• Ysgol Llywelyn
• Gaer Primary School
• Ysgol Feithrin Rhydaman
• Ysgol Rhos Helyg
• White Rose Primary School
• Coychurch Primary
• Mount Pleasant Primary
• Ystrad Mynach Primary
• Hafod-y-Wern Community Primary School
• Libanus Primary School
• Sandycroft County Primary
• Llancaeach Junior
• St Andrews Primary
• Glyncoed Primary
• Stanwell School
• Tenby C in W VCP
• Glasllwch Primary
Gemma Cox, Principal Practitioner for Educational Settings, said:
“We are delighted these schools have received the National Quality Award. They deserve this important recognition for their commitment to embedding the whole school approach to health and wellbeing in the culture and fabric of the school. A big thank you to all of the Healthy School Coordinators who have supported these schools to achieve this incredible award.
"This achievement demonstrates how the Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes are enabling Public Health Wales to work in equal partnership with schools to improve the future health and wellbeing of our children. By combining our efforts and assets in a purposeful way, we can create a healthier, happier and fairer Wales.”