IT'S OFFICIAL — South Tawton is the healthiest school in Devon!

After two years of working with outside agencies to develop good personal, social and health education and to promote a healthier school, South Tawton has become the first in Devon to be granted the National Healthy School's Standard.

The official presentation of the Healthy School's Award, an initiative between the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Health, was made by chairman of the Mid Devon Primary Care Trust Bud Wendover, and county councillor Bill Cann on Tuesday.

This standard is designed to give practical support for schools to create an enjoyable, safe, productive learning environment and minimise potential health risks. This includes looking at the whole school's personal, social and health curriculum with specific work on issues like physical exercise, safety, healthy eating, bullying, sex and relationships, education and drugs use.

Headteacher Bobby Sutton said over the past couple of years the school had received visits from school nurses, the police youth affairs officer, a dentist and doctor and the fire brigade and there had been an increase in the opportunites for physical exercise.

'We have been most grateful for the support given to us by the personal, social and health education department at Devon County Council, in particular Dave Strudwick, formerly the area's healthy school officer,' she said.