Rochdale on Beacon shortlist for healthy schools

Date published: 16/10/2006

The efforts of Rochdale Council to encourage and improve children's health in schools across Rochdale borough is an example to the rest of the country. And to prove it, the service could soon be recognised as a national 'Beacon'.

A decision will be taken in March next year on whether Rochdale Council is recognised as a Beacon Council. If it is, the good practice taking place in schools will be shared with Councils and other agencies across the country.

More than three-quarters of schools in the borough have achieved healthy school status, ahead of the Government's target. The Healthy Schools programme addresses four core themes: lifestyle, healthy eating, exercise and underpinning all of these, children's emotional health and well-being. It aims to encourage healthy lifestyles, raise achievement and reduce health inequalities.

Food is an important factor in children's health. The Council has taken the initiative in training its cooks in nutrition, to ensure that children are offered high quality nutritious meals, including fruit, vegetables, and salad bars.

Work also carries on outside of the dinner hour, to educate children about eating a healthy diet, both at home and at school

Healthy Schools status also examines healthy travel to school, encouraging and actively assisting pupils to walk, cycle or use public transport. More than 40 schools in the borough have adopted a School Travel plan.

Promoting health amongst the borough's youngsters involves the PCT, health promotion and community health services, such as school nurses, the Council's Youth Service and Environmental Health.

Lead Member for Children, Schools amp; Families, Councillor David Clayton said: "Healthy children learn more effectively. Applying to become a beacon for healthy schools is about far more than just healthy school meals. We are building a partnership between parents, pupils and schools so that everyone appreciates the importance of exercise, diet, lifestyle and learning."

In announcing the short list decided by the Independent Advisory Panel for the Beacon Scheme, the Chairwoman, Marianne Hood said: "The Beacon Scheme continues to go from strength-to-strength. I am delighted with the number of high quality applications we received from authorities for this round of the scheme. The Panel was very impressed by the range of innovative approaches to creating or improving services which really make a difference to people's lives."