Wiltshire Council awards 10 schools for healthy lifestyles

The Wiltshire Healthy Schools programme, launched in 2012 by Wiltshire Council, is designed to address the health and wellbeing of young people by using a whole school approach.

It encourages schools across the county to use Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons and additional in-school programmes to build on well-being learning and promote healthy lifestyles.

This includes looking at potential initiatives such as breakfast programmes, asthma-friendly schools, young carer support, free period products, body positivity workshops and much more.

But 10 schools in the county have recently joined the growing list of those given special accreditation by Wiltshire Council for going above and beyond in their commitment to build a healthy school.

These include Fitzmaurice Primary School (gold), Royal Wootton Bassett Academy (silver), St John's CofE Primary School (silver), Urchfont Primary School (silver), Akrotiri School (bronze), Morgan's Vale and Woodfalls Primary School (bronze), Oare Primary School (bronze), Pewsey Primary School (bronze), St Osmund's Primary School (bronze) and Sambourne Primary School (bronze).

Royal Wootton Bassett Academy is one of 10 schools to have recently picked up the health award. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

"We have some amazing initiatives from schools who have taken a step back and considered what would really make a difference and these have had a positive impact on pupils and the whole school community," said Councillor Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children's services.

"I'm delighted that so many schools have received this award, and I would encourage more to come forward in the future.

“Our Wiltshire Healthy Schools programme recognises the hard work of our school communities to create a healthy space for pupils to learn and grow."

Pupils from Morgan's Vale Primary School are thrilled to have received the award. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

These 10 schools submitted evidence of the measures they had taken and the difference they had made to local multiagency groups, and several schools were visited by Wiltshire Youth Councillors who provided feedback.

But for Fitzmaurice Primary School, which was awarded gold, this achievement is particularly special as it places the school among only 10 in the country to have been rated 'gold'  by Wiltshire Council for health and wellbeing.

In alphabetical order, the 'healthiest schools in Wiltshire' according to those with gold accreditation are:

• Box CofE Primary School
• Clarendon Junior School
• Collingbourne CofE Primary School
• Corsham Primary School
• Fitzmaurice Primary Academy
• Greentrees Primary School
• Hardenhuish School
• Ludgershall Castle Primary School
• Manor Fields Primary School
• Studley Green Primary School