Wednesday, 13 June 2012
A Bridgend nursery school has become the first in Wales to be awarded a national award recognising its commitment to promoting health and wellbeing.
Pontycymer Nursery School is also the first in the county to win the Healthy Schools National Quality Award (NQA).To achieve the award, the school has been actively involved in the Healthy School Scheme initiative since 2001. The scheme is run by the Welsh Government and support for schools and nurseries is available from Public Health Wales’s local public health teams.
The school has shown a commitment to developing the seven health topics covered by the scheme - food and fitness, mental and emotional health and wellbeing, personal development and relationships, substance use and misuse, environment, safety and hygiene.
Joan Roberts, Quality Award Assessor, said: “The healthy schools work is embedded in everything that is done at Pontycymer Nursery, with all sectors of the school community committed to its aims.
“For a small school with few members of staff, it is amazing how many positive initiatives are in place”.
The assessors’ report made no recommendations for further developments in any of the seven categories
Headteacher Stephanie Evans added: “We are absolutely delighted to have achieved this award.
“We will be celebrating receiving our plaque with a garden party for current and past pupils, and friends who have supported us along this journey.”
Lin Cooper, Public Health Wales Healthy Schools Practitioner for Bridgend, said: “I am extremely proud of the school’s achievement, which reflects the hard work and dedication of pupils, teachers, staff, governors, and families.
“Pontycymer is truly an exemplar nursery that has demonstrated a commitment to wellbeing in all areas of school life including healthy eating, active play, environmental work and emotional health. “
More information on Healthy Schools is available from: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/improvement/children/schools/schemes/?lang=en
Source:
Public Health Wales
