Award success for pupils as healthy living pays off

A LICHFIELD primary school is celebrating after scooping an award for pupils' efforts to be healthy.

Staffordshire's deputy lieutenant Sarah Elsom presented the award to youngsters from St Peter and St Paul's Catholic Primary School at a special ceremony.

"Congratulations to everyone involved – this is a wonderful achievement," said Councillor Veronica Downes, county council cabinet member for schools.

Every school in the Staffordshire local authority area has signed up to Healthy Schools.

To date, 295 of the county's schools have successfully gained the status.

Like their contemporaries elsewhere in the county, pupils at St Peter and St Paul's on Dimbles Hill have learned about the link between physical and emotional wellbeing.

The school has worked with Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust to achieve Healthy Schools Status.

The national programme recognises achievement through a 'whole school' approach.

It focuses on the four key themes of:

Personal, social, health and economic education;

Healthy eating and drinking;

Physical activity;

Emotional health and wellbeing – including bullying.

Mrs Downes added: "These schools have shown that they have invested in being healthy and are dedicated to ongoing improvement and development in this area. Pupils are equipped with the skills and attitudes to help them make informed decisions about their own health."