Southampton schools recognised for giving students the best start in life

Southampton City Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust celebrated the outstanding efforts that schools across Southampton are making to improve the health and wellbeing of their pupils at the annual Healthy High Five event

The event, which took place at The Mayor’s Parlour earlier this month, was an opportunity to hear about the exciting activities the staff and students at Bevois Town Primary School, Bassett Green Primary School, Townhill Junior School and The Polygon School are doing to improve their health and wellbeing as part of working towards, or maintaining, their Healthy High Five award.

The Polygon School have incorporated the Healthy High 5 Priorities into their everyday school routine by offering a range of opportunities to encourage students to get active, make time for mindfulness and develop their skills.

Jessica Long, Teacher at The Polygon School, explained how they’re maintaining their gold award: “We are very lucky to have the facilities and opportunities to offer activities which contribute to us achieving the award. For example, our pupils are all offered swimming lessons, orienteering, sailing, bike riding, magnet fishing, as well as opportunities for learning outdoors, taking part in “Wellbeing Wednesdays” and healthy eating by providing fruit to all classes.

“We believe giving children life skills via lessons such as Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN), work skills, outdoor learning and personal development opportunities also gives the children a wider vocabulary and helps them to develop their imagination, which in turn helps to support their mental and physical wellbeing.” 

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 100 Healthy High Five certificates have been awarded in Southampton.

Claire Robinson, Clinical Team Coordinator and School Nurse at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare, said: “I’m so proud of everything students and staff are doing to prioritise health and wellbeing for the children in our schools across Southampton. We love visiting the schools and seeing the HH5 award in action.”

Dr Debbie Chase, Director of Public Health at Southampton City Council, said: “I’m thrilled we could celebrate the fantastic work and commitment our schools have 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 Healthy High Five Award.

For further resources for schools and to complete an audit visit Healthy and Sustainable Schools.