Saturday, 03 May 2008 16:15

Argyll and Bute Council is delighted to announce that all of its primary and secondary schools are now officially recognised as being "Health Promoting Schools".

The Health Promoting Schools initiative is delivered in partnership by the Council and NHS Highland, and has been made possible by the dedication and hard work of pupils and staff who are leading the way forward in changing attitudes towards health and fitness.

Following a special seminar in Kilmory, Lochgilphead, last week, the Council's Education Spokesperson, Councillor Isobel Strong, said: "What a great achievement for Argyll and Bute. This is wonderful news and the dedication of staff, pupils and parents must be congratulated.

"Healthy eating is paramount in today's society and teaching children about the importance of this at an early age sets them ahead for the future.

"As well as there being clear links between the health and well-being of pupils and their capacity to benefit from educational opportunities, engaging children in positive, life enhancing activities are of central importance to improving the long term health of the nation."

Alex Honeyman, Senior Health Promotion Officer for NHS Highland, agreed: “I would like to congratulate the schools for their commitment to improving the health and well-being of pupils, staff, and the wider community.

"Through a whole range of activities and cross-curricular learning programmes, pupils across Argyll and Bute CHP are involved in exploring all the key issues that have a bearing on their health and well-being. Pupils are establishing the values, attitudes, knowledge and skills that will enable them to make well-informed decisions about their lifestyles now and in the future.

"Health Promoting Schools is an excellent example of schools working together with partners, parents and the wider community in identifying and meeting the health needs of the whole school community and in doing so raising achievement, fulfilling potential and improving the quality of life. As well as recognising the tremendous effort the schools have made I would particularly like to highlight the Argyll and Bute Council School Catering Service and Active Schools Co-ordinators who have made a very positive impact on healthy school meals and increased physical activity.

NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council will continue to support pupils, parents and staff to build on their Health Promoting School status through support, training and sharing good practice”

In 2003 each school in Scotland was set the target by the Scottish Government to become health promoting by the end of 2007. This status is given to schools which adopt a complete approach to promoting the physical, social, spiritual, mental and emotional well-being of pupils and staff.

Schools in Argyll and Bute have had to prove their health promoting credentials by meeting a set of 10 standards including healthy eating arrangements, effective personal, social and health education groups, pupil support, effective partnership and making improvements in health promotion.