Schools to be awarded for commitment to health and wellbeing

Schools from across the city are coming together this week to celebrate their commitment to health and wellbeing at a special celebration event.

Pupils and staff from schools across Leeds will descend on the Banqueting Suite at Leeds Civic Hall on Friday 12 July to receive awards for the ‘Healthy Schools’, ‘Investors in Pupils’ and ‘MindMate Champion’ programmes.

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When: Friday 12th July 2019 at 9.30am to 12.30pm

Where: Banqueting Suite, Leeds Civic Hall

What: Members of the media are welcome to attend the healthy schools celebration event, which is being hosted by Leeds City Council’s health and wellbeing service. Photography and filming opportunities will be available with pupils, staff and elected members.

Media are kindly requested to contact Karen.Clay@leeds.gov.uk to confirm attendance.

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Schools attending the event will receive certificates and plaques in recognition of their ongoing commitment to health and wellbeing.

The event will also showcase some of the great work that the schools have been doing over the past year, some of which has contributed to Leeds bucking the trend and reducing obesity in children.

The Leeds Healthy Schools status is awarded to schools which meet set criteria in four areas: personal, social and health education (PSHE); healthy eating; physical activity; and social emotional mental health (SEMH). The criteria includes having a lunch service that meets national standards, providing free drinking water, having a no-smoking policy and a clear anti-bullying policy.

The Investors in Pupils programme ensures that young people have a voice and the opportunity to be involved in decisions that affect them in their schools. Through building on young people’s life skills, character and resilience, this established national quality mark facilitates consistent coordination, review and implementation in five key areas including learning; induction; behaviour; attendance (including punctuality); and classroom management. The programme also supports learning about democracy and the council's ambition to be a child friendly city where children are able to influence changes they want to see in their city.

NHS Leeds and Northpoint Wellbeing are working in partnership with Leeds City Council’s health and wellbeing service to help schools improve their work around mental health through the MindMate Champion programme and MindMate Lessons curriculum. Schools, children’s centres, specialist inclusive learning centres (SILCs) and colleges have been working to become ‘MindMate Friendly’ by showing they are good or outstanding in ten different areas of work within their setting. To become a champion setting they must show they have improved in a social, emotional or mental health area of their choice.

Councillor Fiona Venner, executive member for children and families said:

“It’s really important that schools play a leading role in helping pupils understand the importance of their own health and wellbeing and the impact it can have on both their education and life outside of school. By achieving Healthy School status, Investors in Pupils or by becoming a Mindmate Champion, these schools are demonstrating a commitment to their pupils and staff alike.

“All of the schools receiving awards at this event should be proud of their achievements and are shining examples of the great work being carried out in Leeds to provide our children and young people with the skills they need to thrive.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing

Tel: 0113 378 6007

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk