22/03/04 - Cumbria healthy schools awards evening

On Wednesday 24 March at 7pm at Rheged Discovery Centre, Penrith, County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education, will present the Healthy School Award to 8 schools in Cumbria.  Cumbria County Council works in partnership with the Primary Care Trusts in North Cumbria and Morecambe Bay to developing health initiatives in schools.  A number of guests will be attending the ceremony, including Leigh Griffin, Chief Executive of Morecambe Bay PCT.

The schools receiving awards come from right across the county and represent a wide range of communities.  This will bring the total number of accredited schools in Cumbria to 97.  The Cumbria Healthy Schools Team is currently supporting over 200 schools in the county to develop health related activities including personal, social and health education, sex and relationships, drugs education and emotional health and well-being.  Many schools have also looked at food and balanced eating, citizenship, safer routes to school, physical activity and school councils.

County Councillor Joan Stocker is looking forward to presenting the awards to another 8 schools.  She says

“It is wonderful news that so many schools have achieved this award.  97 schools countywide is a great achievement and recognises the commitment of not only the schools themselves but of the Cumbria Healthy School Team as well.  Being involved in the Healthy Schools initiative contributes towards building a positive ethos in the school which benefits staff and pupils and helps to raise standards. The health needs of the young people in this area are very important and to be able to develop a wide range of health initiatives and receive so many awards is a major achievement for this County.” 

For further information on the work of Cumbria Healthy Schools and this event please contact Claire Stephens at Kendal Education Office on 01539 773502.