Lifton Community Primary School is celebrating its success on becoming a 'Healthy School'. To achieve 'healthy school' status, Lifton Community Primary was successful in completing the 62 separate criteria. These include a focus on healthy eating, physical activity, emotional health and well-being, reducing the misuse of drugs – including smoking and alcohol – and reducing teenage pregnancy. The award also focuses on safety, child protection, careers, improving the environment, citizenship and safer travel to schools. The primary also has to demonstrate that the whole school community are involved in identifying and addressing the health needs of its community. Lisa Paton, personal, social and health education leader at the school, says: 'We are really looking forward to displaying our Healthy School sign to show the whole school community the official recognition we have received for these important aspects of school life.' Healthy School status lasts for three years and each year the school will receive a 'Health Check' visit as part of the ongoing quality assurance procedures. During this time the school aims to continue to improve its provision so that it goes from strength to strength. The Devon Healthy Schools Award, part of the National Healthy Schools Programme, is jointly funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health. The programme supports the links between health, behaviour and achievement; it is about creating healthy and happy children and young people, who do better in learning and in life. Pictured are pupils holding the award sign before it was put up in the entrance.
