Dozens of school pupils in North Yorkshire have been acknowledged for their commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and the work they are doing to tackle climate change.
Almost 100 children gathered at the annual healthy schools event at RHS Garden Harlow Carr gardens in Harrogate, to celebrate the success of an awards initiative that supports pupils to have healthier lifestyles and care for the environment.
Executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: “It is encouraging to see the work that is already under way in our schools in developing healthy habits in pupils and staff.
“The commitment shown by teachers, families and, most importantly, the children themselves is truly inspiring.
“Their enthusiasm for making positive choices, whether that’s through healthier lifestyles, caring for the environment or supporting one another’s wellbeing, shows how deeply these values are becoming embedded in school life.”
The schools taking part in the event were All Saints Church of England Primary School in Kirkby Overblow, Bedale Church of England Primary School, Burton Leonard Church of England Primary School near Harrogate, Oatlands Infants School in Harrogate, St Peter’s School in Harrogate, Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy in Scarborough and Willow Tree Community Primary School in Harrogate.
Pupils took part in a variety of hands‑on activities designed to boost both wellbeing and environmental awareness. They explored how to keep teeth healthy through fun, practical learning, and discovered how their voices can be used to gather ideas and opinions that shape school life.
Outdoors the children immersed themselves in nature for wellbeing, trying activities such as yoga on the grass, canopy gazing beneath the trees and energetic rounds of nature charades.
They also joined the RHS education team for pond dipping and planted pea seeds, gaining a deeper appreciation of the natural world and how to care for it.
So far, almost 90 per cent of the county’s schools have signed up to take part in our Healthy Schools Award Programme. Since its launch six years ago in 2019, more than half of those schools have now gained awards in the scheme which recognises pupils’ efforts to improve their health and wellbeing.
Participating schools work towards bronze, silver or gold healthy school status by meeting criteria across four themes:
- Active lives.
- Food in schools.
- Emotional health and well-being.
- Personal, social and health education.
Among those taking part was Willow Tree Community Primary School in Harrogate, which achieved the prestigious Healthy Schools Platinum award for promoting active travel.
Pupils, staff and families at the school have embraced initiatives that encourage walking, cycling and scooting to school, helping to reduce traffic, cut emissions and boost daily physical activity.
Meanwhile, pupils and staff at Burton Leonard Church of England Primary School in Harrogate were recognised for developing their climate action plan.
Director of public health, Louise Wallace, said: “We all had a great day exploring ideas for how pupils can work together to make positive changes in their school. It was a real honour to present schools with their Healthy Schools certificates, which they have worked so hard to achieve.
“I would encourage even more schools to get involved and sign up to our Healthy Schools awards scheme.”
Also present at the event were executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson and the authority’s member champion for young people, Cllr Alyson Baker, who presented the awards to the schools.
All schools in North Yorkshire and York can sign up to the Healthy Schools Award Programme at no cost online or email healthyschools@northyorks.gov.uk