NSHSN (North Somerset Healthy Schools Network) programmes provide a framework for schools to address the emotional and physical health of children and young people, which is vitally important if they are to be happy, healthy and able to achieve their full potential. They can also enable schools to address issues which will have a positive impact on our natural environment.

The Primary NSHSN programme supports schools to identify their own needs, make plans to address them and review progress. Schools are guided towards positive change by addressing issues such as mental health, healthy eating, physical activity, safety, personal, social, emotional and health education and the environment.

The scheme is part of a wider series of government actions to support pupils’ health and wellbeing, and is a commitment from the government’s Childhood Obesity Plan. This voluntary scheme is available for both primary and secondary schools. Schools will complete a self-assessment and then receive a rating based on their responses around food education, compliance with the School Food Standards, time spent on physical education and the promotion of active travel.

By achieving ‘Active Healthy Schools’ status, schools will demonstrate that they have ‘covered all the bases’ when it comes to supporting members of the school community to be physically and emotionally healthy.

In response to the pandemic, much of the activity in the past year has been supporting the mental health of children by increasing their confidence, resilience and self-esteem.