Benefits of being a Better Medway Award School
A Better Medway (ABM) awarded school promotes the health and wellbeing of its pupils and staff. This compliments and provides evidence to meet the UK Health Security Agency and DFE 8 principles for a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
There's evidence that healthy schools programmes are associated with:
- improved health-promoting environments in schools
- increased health knowledge, choices, and activities
- improved general behaviour and achievement in pupils.
Studies have also shown that schools taking part in the programme find they have:
- an improved PSHE curriculum and more effective PSHE teaching
- improved social awareness and pupil participation
- healthier food options, increased access to drinking water and breakfast clubs
- improved environments, play facilities and opportunities for physical activity
- improved pupil behaviour, attitudes, confidence and concentration
- healthier pupil food choices and more physical activity
- improved pupil understanding of sex and relationships
- improved staff awareness of health-related issues
- improved staff health and wellbeing initiatives and CPD (continuing professional development) opportunities
- a positive influence on levels of achievement, attendance, and exclusion.
So, promoting the health and wellbeing of pupils and students within schools and colleges has the potential to improve their educational outcomes and their health and wellbeing.
Statistics from award-winning schools
Recent statistics from schools taking part in the programme include:
- 57.1% reported that the award process improved behaviour, attitudes, confidence and increased concentration in pupils
- 42.9% said that the award process strengthened the PSHE curriculum and teaching
- 71.4% found the award process improved staff awareness in health-related issues
- 57.1% reported that the award process enabled pupils to access healthier food options.
Riverside Primary School and Nursery proudly hold the ABM Health and Wellbeing Award at Platinum level. The wellbeing of everyone in our school is our highest priority and we strive for an environment where children, staff and parents feel comfortable to talk about mental health and can confidently apply strategies that support their own wellbeing.
We aim to enable this through our inclusive, values-driven ethos our curriculum, which includes a strong PSHE programme, a focus on personal development, acquisition of life skills such as gardening and cookery, and the provision of additional interventions such as ELSA, therapeutic work or counselling for those who need them.- Zoe Huggett - Inclusion Manager/DSL
What next
For a no obligation meeting to get the ABM Schools Award programme in your school, call us on 01634 334 307 or email childhealth@medway.gov.uk.
Find out how to take part.
If you're ready to start, complete our online form: