Five Southampton schools recognised for improving children’s health and wellbeing
Redbridge Primary School, Maytree Infants, Shirley Infants, Oasis Mayfield and Moorlands Primary have been awarded with a Healthy High 5 Award for their commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of their pupils
The schools were invited for a celebration event at the Mayor’s Parlour, where they were presented with their award and a certificate from The Right Worshipful Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Valerie Laurent.
Southampton’s Healthy and Sustainable Schools’ programme mascot, Coach Carrot, who aims to encourage children and young people to make healthy choices, also joined the celebration and presented the certificates to the successful schools.
The Healthy High 5 Award, which is part a quality programme delivered by Southampton City Council and Solent NHS Trust, is made up of five achievable elements (stars), which includes:
- Physical activity – Schools are required to take part in 10 minutes of physical activity on top of PE lessons such as the daily mile
- Access to water – Children are required to have access to water at all times and the school must be able to encourage and supply it
- Healthy Lunch, Breakfast and after school clubs – Schools are required to ensure that every meal nutritionally counts for pupils
- Mindfulness Minute – Schools should encourage pupils to use senses like, touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing to relax, and increase focus and concentration
- Nurturing Nature – Growing plants and foods in schools is an important learning opportunity. To achieve this star, schools must help pupils grow and follow the journey of plants and food
Schools across the city are working hard to ensure that children have a good start to enable safe, active and healthy lives. To date, since the award launched in 2018, over 65 Healthy High Five certificates have been awarded in Southampton.
Claire Robinson, Public Health Nurse at Solent NHS Trust and Project Lead for Healthy Settings, said:
“I’m so proud of everything our schools and students have achieved as part of their silver or gold Healthy High 5 Award this summer term. Their dedication and commitment to making positive changes for health and wellbeing at school is fantastic and I’m looking forward to seeing what new achievements our schools have in store for the new school term.”
Jan Goatley, Headteacher at Maytree Infants School, said:
“The children really enjoyed themselves on the day and it was a great opportunity to share their experience with the other schools that were celebrating an award. Our children all feel very proud to have achieved Gold and we’re looking forward to welcoming Coach Carrot next week.”
Cllr Alex Winning, Cabinet Member for Children and Learning at Southampton City Council, said:
“I’m thrilled we could celebrate five fantastic schools and their commitment to integrating new and innovative ways of bringing physical activity, healthy food and wellbeing into the school day.
"Encouraging healthy behaviours from an early age helps children and young people to have the very best start in life, which is why I’d like to encourage schools across Southampton to adopt this citywide programme to help our children stay healthy and well.”
For more information about the Healthy High Five Award and how your school can sign up, visit our Healthy High Five webpage.
You can also find further resources for schools and complete a Healthy and Sustainable Schools audit.
