Maidstone schools win healthy school status

A group of 28 schools in Maidstone have all won Healthy Schools status. The Maidstone 1 cluster has joined Thanet 1 cluster in meeting this important milestone. Across the county there are now more than 400 Healthy Schools - that's 70% of Kent's schools.

Kent County Council's target to have all schools in Kent working towards receiving Healthy School status by 2009 is set to be smashed this year, as 99% of schools are currently working with the Kent Healthy Schools Programme.

About the Healthy Schools scheme

The Healthy Schools scheme supports the whole school and contributes to raising pupil achievement, while providing opportunities to improve the health and well-being of pupils, staff and the wider community.

The impact of the programme is based on a whole-school commitment to physical and emotional well-being. It is focused on four core themes - personal, social and health education; healthy eating; physical activity and emotional health and well-being.

Benefits include improving behaviour and attendance, improving performance in SATs, promoting positive relationships, reducing the incidence of bullying, reducing teenage pregnancy, and drug, alcohol and tobacco use amongst young people.

Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education Chris Wells said: "Last year I said that it wouldn't be long before the other areas in Kent would join the Thanet 1 cluster in reaching 100% Healthy School status. I would like to congratulate the Maidstone schools and the Kent Healthy Schools Programme on their impressive achievement. I hope that other school clusters in the county will soon join our frontrunners, which can only be beneficial to their health and well-being of our children and young people."

Chair of the Healthy Schools Strategy Group Joanna Wainwright added: "It gives me great pleasure to congratulate the Maidstone 1 cluster in their 100% Healthy School success. Across Kent, schools are seeing the real value of this work and that it's about working together to improve the quality of people's lives. It's about the whole-school community, children and parents, staff and governors learning together, being involved and feeling happier and healthier."

The county's Healthy Schools Programme is a partnership between KCC and the NHS in Kent.

Kent's Public Health Director Meradin Peachey, who works on behalf of KCC and the county's primary care trusts, said: "This is fantastic news as it provides another stepping stone to a time in the future when children's education and health are treated with equal importance. I would also like to congratulate the schools in the other Maidstone cluster that have gained Healthy School status and there are only eight more schools in the cluster to achieve the award so are well on their way to joining Maidstone 1 with 100% Healthy School status."

The Kent Healthy Schools Programme is an accredited part of the National Healthy Schools Programme, which is supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the NHS. It is an exciting long-term initiative and is making a significant difference to the health and achievement of children and young people.

Hunton CEP School is one of Maidstone 1 schools. Headteacher Susan Wood looks at what the school has done.

Pumpkins, gardening and play time activities

Since gaining Healthy School status, Hunton CEP School have gone from strength to strength in their projects and pupil awareness. Although they have had a gardening club for many years the main kitchen garden has now doubled in size and the 'Rocket Roots' gardening club now produces a wide range of organically grown fruit and vegetables. Last year the club grew enough salad and produce for a picnic for parents, pupils, governors and staff on the school's open evening.

In October 2007, Hunton CEP School achieved first prize in the Yalding Organic Gardens competition for their organically grown pumpkins. This has led them to host their own pumpkin growing competition to which 74 Kent schools have to date registered. All this makes the pupils aware of how crops can be grown successfully and organically.

The 'Rocket Roots' cookery club provides them with the opportunity to try new foods.

There has also been a huge improvement to the school's outdoor play area and play time activities since working for their Healthy School status. There is now a large range of equipment provided at playtimes and the older pupils are trained to organise and play games with the younger pupils. Hunton CEP School decided this year that new additions to the adventure trail resources would encourage more children to use it and take more physical exercise. A sponsored skip and fruit smoothie sale has resulted in the children raising enough money to purchase two new pieces of equipment.

The children of Hunton are fortunate in the surroundings of where their school is situated. They fully appreciate this and work hard to ensure this facilitates a growing healthy lifestyle.

The area in Maidstone is known as the Maidstone 1 cluster.

Maidstone 1 cluster schools

The Maidstone 1 cluster schools are: Allington Primary School, Astor of Hever Community School, Barming Primary School, Boughton Monchelsea Primary School, Bower Grove School, Brunswick House Primary School, The Cedars, Coxheath Primary School, Ditton CEJ School, Ditton Infant School, East Farleigh Primary School, Hunton CEP School, Laddingford St Mary's CEP School, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, Maplesden Noakes School, Marden Primary School, Oakwood Park Grammar School, Palace Wood Primary School, St Francis' Catholic School, St Margaret's CEP School, St Michael's CEI School, St Michael's CEJ School, St Peter & Paul CEP School, Staplehurst School, Sutton Valence Primary School, Wateringbury CEP School, West Borough Primary School.

Maidstone 2 cluster

The Maidstone 2 cluster schools that have Healthy Schools status are: Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, Bredhurst CEP School, Five Acre Wood School, Greenfields Community Primary School, Harrietsham CEP School, Headcorn Primary School, Hollingbourne Primary School, Invicta Grammar School, Leeds & Broomfield CEP School, Lenham Primary School, Loose Infant School, Loose Junior School, Madginford Park Infant School, Madginford Park Junior School, Maidstone Grammar School, North Borough Junior School, Oak Trees Community School, Platts Heath Primary School, Roseacre Junior School, Sandling Junior School, Senacre Wood Primary School, South Borough Primary School, St John's CEP School, St Paul's Infant School, Swadelands School, Thurnham CEI School, Ulcombe CEP School, Valley Park Community School.