NHS Lanarkshire is committed to supporting teaching staff across Lanarkshire’s 291 schools to give young the healthiest start possible.
At an event on Friday 9th June, staff from primary, secondary and ASN schools across North and South Lanarkshire heard from three schools about how they have been utilising the Healthy Schools website to support their pupils.
Staff in attendance also had an opportunity to meet with relevant partners and organisations who offer services and resources in relation to health and wellbeing.
The Healthy Schools website was developed by NHS Lanarkshire in partnership with education services in both North and South Lanarkshire Councils, to equip schools with an interactive website supporting the health and wellbeing of children from nursery to S6.
Created with input from children and young people, it provides a safe space for pupils to learn about various topics that can support them as they grow. These include nutrition, mental and physical health, substance misuse, planning for change and more.
Dr Elinor Steel, Healthy Schools Manager, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “I’d like to thank all the teaching staff and partner organisations who attended our event, it was a great success and I look forward to hearing how more and more schools implement this resource into their curriculum.
“Healthy Schools was created for teaching staff to empower children and young people to make positive choices, and it’s available to be accessed by all members of the public, meaning families and carers can use it too.
“Critically, the website is designed to let young people explore these topics in a safe environment that is led by them.”
Stacey Duncan, Business Education and Pupil Support Teacher, South Lanarkshire Council, who presented their Personal and Social Education (PSE) journey at the event, added: “We have been working alongside Healthy Schools and utilising the website for a number of years now. We have found the Healthy Schools website a great tool in helping us to develop our PSE programmes and planners for S1-5.
“The website has also been key to the Learning, Teaching and Assessment and Moderation of our programmes as well as having useful filtering features to help us differentiate between the categories, which include; mental, emotional, social & physical health, planning for choices and changes, relationships, and substance misuse.
“We presented to the group with the hope of raising awareness of this great resource and to showcase good practice in Personal and Social Education (PSE) programmes.”
Tina Murphy, Principal Teacher, North Lanarkshire Council, who also presented, added: “Our children deserve the best and Healthy Schools helps staff to deliver this.
“Healthy Schools is a one stop shop for health and wellbeing support, resources and contacts. It enables staff to plan, develop and provide an appropriate, well planned and interesting curriculum.
“We have used Healthy Schools to support young people in developing their awareness of their own health and wellbeing and how to manage everyday factors which impact this.”
Parents and carers can visit the Healthy Schools website at www.healthyschools.scot as there are lots of topics they may find useful!
