Schools Attain National Quality Award for Healthy School Scheme

Two Wrexham primary schools have achieved a prestigious national award which recognises their commitment to promoting health and wellbeing.

Holt CP and St Mary’s Church In Wales Aided School, Overton have been awarded the Healthy Schools National Quality Award (NQA).

In order to be eligible for the NQA award, the schools have to evidence their active involvement in the Wrexham Healthy Schools Scheme for over ten years. Both schools demonstrated excellence in all aspects of health, which included food and fitness, safety, environment, hygiene, personal development, emotional health and substance misuse. Two assessors from Welsh Government spent a day observing evidence portfolios and a further full day observing practice in the schools.

During their visit they met with children, including members of the School Council, staff, governors and parents as well as visiting the schools breakfast club, the school canteen and experiencing life on the yard at playtimes.

By achieving the National Quality Award, staff and children at Holt CP and St Mary’s, Overton have demonstrated that they are firmly committed to an approach which develops the whole school as a health promoting workplace.

Cllr Joan Lowe, Lead member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “The two schools have been dedicated to the scheme and worked incredibly hard to ensure health and wellbeing has become embedded and part of the everyday lives of their whole school community. We hope they will now help lead the way in developing health and wellbeing in Wrexham’s schools. A very well done to all involved.”

The Wrexham Healthy School Scheme now supports 74 schools alongside pre-school settings and is a Public Health Wales initiative.