Expansion plans for healthy schools programme

The move comes as the Healthy Schools programme celebrates its tenth anniversary, and has exceeded its target to get 75% of schools to achieve Healthy School status by December 2009. To date, 80% of all English schools have achieved National Healthy School Status, and so far, 99.1% of schools are taking part. The scheme teaches children about every aspect of being healthy from how you travel to school, exercise, school meals, obesity and anti-bullying. Speaking at the annual Healthy Schools conference, Merron outlined how the National Healthy Schools Programme will be widened to include closer working with local authorities, health services and the wider community. Ultimately, it will enable schools to identify and help those children who need it most in the community, addressing specific local issues such as bullying, teenage pregnancy or drugs. Merron said: "Extending the programme means that schools will work more closely with local councils and the wider community, so that even more support is available. It will help schools spot those children who need more help – young carers, those with mental health needs, or simply giving children the information and resources they need to tackle issues such as bullying, obesity and drugs."