Croydon has a successful Healthy Schools Programme, which supports pupils to make healthy food choices and be more active.
The programme encourages schools to develop good practice relating to the health and wellbeing of their pupils, including growing, cooking and eating healthy food and developing their curriculum. It also focuses on other areas of health and wellbeing, such as reducing risk taking behaviour and developing anti-bullying practices. Schools achieve an award by completing an audit of what they have done every two years.
The majority of schools in the borough have achieved a Croydon Healthy Schools award and this also entitles them to the bronze award on the wider Greater London Authority (GLA) London Healthy Schools programme, which recognises and celebrates schools that are making a difference for their pupils. The GLA programme operates a bronze, silver and gold award system for schools wishing to develop their good practice. We are aiming for a total of 25 Croydon schools to achieve the silver status this year.
Schools can find out more about the Healthy Schools Programme by contacting Zoe Barkham, Croydon Schools Improvement Officer - Health & Wellbeing: zoe.barkham@croydon.gov.uk.
Rosie Boycott – September 2014:
“I want to congratulate the schoolchildren in Croydon for their hard work and determination to eat healthier foods and for helping others to do the same. The benefits of this programme go beyond health. We know that when children are healthy and happy at school, they can achieve more"