Greatham Church of England Primary School is involved in the National Healthy Schools Programme.

The National Healthy Schools Programme is an exciting long-term initiative which is making a significant difference to the health and achievement of children and young people. The National Healthy Schools Programme supports the links between health, behaviour and achievement; it is about creating healthy and happy children and young people, who do better in learning and in life.

The impact of our programme is based on a whole-school approach to physical and emotional well-being focused on four core themes:

Personal, Social & Health Education

Healthy Eating

Physical Activity

Emotional Health & Wellbeing

The whole school approach involves working with children and young people, parents, school staff and the whole school community to provide a solid foundation from which developments and improvement are embedded in a systematic way. These processes contribute to the physical and emotional development of all members of the school community.

A healthy school:

• Identifies, develops and communicates a positive message and appropriate values in relation to the health and well-being of the whole school community.
• Actively values and promotes the self-esteem of all members of the school community, develops good relationships in the daily life of the school and is welcoming and open to parents and the wider community.
• Is successful in helping pupils and staff do their best and celebrates their achievements.
• Offers all pupils the opportunity to benefit from a broad, balanced, creative and stimulating education that challenges and promotes brain-friendly learning.
• Promotes good communication within the whole school community ensuring that pupils and staff are given an effective voice in whole school decision making.
• Provides an accessible and relevant PSHE / Citizenship programme which enables pupils to develop their skills and attitudes in order to make informed choices about their health and to develop their social, moral, spiritual and cultural awareness.
• Invests in the physical and emotional health of staff and pupils to help improve standards and raise achievement
• Provides a range of opportunities beyond the curriculum which promote the development of skills.
• Takes every opportunity to provide a safe, happy and reflective learning environment which promotes inclusion.
• Develops partnerships with appropriate outside agencies and individuals, for advice and active support within the context of health education and health promotion in the school.