In the South West region the 15 healthy school programmes have been working in partnership with Department of Health and local NHS public health directorates to pilot South West Healthy Schools Plus. The South West has been chosen as its achievement (of schools with National Healthy School Status NHSS) was the highest in the country in 2009.

South West Healthy Schools Plus was launched in South Gloucestershire in 2009, and has worked with schools with highest health need. It builds upon the foundations for good health and learning laid down in schools that have achieved Healthy Schools Status, ensuring that improvement is continual in schools.

Both the healthy schools enhancement  programme and SW healthy school plus place great importance on using the Whole School Approach and particular attention is paid to involving children and young people and parents/carers. Schools will specifically ensure that both groups are involved in the identification of healthier behaviour outcomes and are consulted about the actions that are implemented to bring about a positive change in healthier behaviour.

The information on this page provides resources for schools to use whether they are part of Healthy Schools Plus or the Enhancement Model.  In the future the two programmes will be merged and schools will become health promoting schools, using the resources from both programmes to set meaningful outcomes and measure the impact on healthier behaviour change across the whole school community.