Healthy Schools Plus

Healthy Schools Plus is a three year programme fully funded by NHS Wiltshire since 2009. The aim of the programme is to work with schools (specifically those in areas of deprivation where there are significant health inequalities) to address health issues that affect the local community, the school community and identified vulnerable groups (Children in Challenging Circumstances).

Schools involved in the programme set healthier behaviour outcomes they would like to achieve for their children and young people. Schools are provided with Local Health Data to enable them to select the health issues that most affect their community area.

Baseline data is collected and targets are set with milestones to mark progress over a two year period. Schools then implement interventions to address the health behaviours they aim to encourage (ie more children walking to school) using evidence-based approaches where possible.

The PDE Advisers have created a set of support materials for schools engaged in the programme.

54% of Wiltshire schools have taken part in this programme. The first Cohort of schools have just completed their two year involvement, with Cohort 2 due to complete in Spring 2012 and Cohort 3 in Spring 2013.

The vast majority of Cohort 1 schools completed the programme and submitted their final data, to see the impact their work has had on the health of children and young people see the Cohort 1 Report.

It is not possible for schools to join in with this programme now, as it is fully subscribed. However, Healthy Schools Plus has been incorporated into the new Wiltshire Healthy Schools programme at Silver Level.