About Healthy Schools

The National Healthy Schools Programme (NHSP) is jointly funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department of Health (DH). The aims of the NHSP are to:

support children and young people in developing healthy behaviours
help raise pupil achievement
help reduce health inequalities
help promote social inclusion

A healthy school is one that successfully helps students to do their best and build on their achievements. It is committed to ongoing improvement and development. It promotes physical and emotional health by providing accessible and relevant information and equipping pupils with the skills and attitudes to make informed decisions about their health. A healthy school understands the importance of investing in health to assist in the process of raising levels of student achievement and improving standards. It also recognises the need to provide both a physical and social environment that is conducive to learning.