Welsh Network of Health and Well-being Promoting Schools (WNHPS)
The Welsh Network of Health and Well-being Promoting Schools (WNHWPS), has been supporting schools to embed a whole-school approach to health and well-being since the late 1990s. Almost all schools in Wales have participated in, and continue to be a part of the programme previously known as the Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes.
The scheme aims to provide support for school improvement through establishing a healthy school climate in which improved health and well-being is reflected in raised educational standards and where each member of the community is valued and supported in their development. Health promotion in schools is a combination of health education within the curriculum and all other actions a school takes to protect and improve the health of those within it. The wider community is involved in its planning, implementation, evaluation and celebration.
Health and Well-being Promoting Schools is a co-operative approach between Health and Education, which recognises that there are mutual benefits in young people’s health and attainments to be gained through partnership working. The local team works directly with schools, using national tools, standards, and guidance.
The programme has undergone a national restructure to align with the Curriculum for Wales. WNHPS is committed to supporting and encouraging the growth and implementation of the Curriculum for Wales in schools, in addition to ensuring that national health priorities are considered in the daily life of each school for pupils, staff and the wider community. This will optimise the potential for a whole school approach to improve health and wellbeing and reduce inequity in health and education outcomes
Why become a Health and Well-being Promoting School?
All Heads and teachers aim to raise standards in school but some would question what a healthy school has got to do with raising standards of education. A healthy school is a happy school. An effective school is a healthy school. It promotes physical, mental and emotional health not only by providing access to information about the factors which influence health, but also by equipping pupils with skills and attitudes to make informed choices.
Involvement in the scheme includes support from the local authority team in exchange for a commitment from the school to focus on areas for improvement, which have been identified through a series of core minimum standards. The team support schools in planning and delivering an effective programme of health education thus improving both the quality of teaching and learning and also to enhance relationships between the school, its pupils, parents, staff, governors and external agencies.
For further information
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Contact us healthyschools@flintshire.gov.uk