Herbert Thompson Primary School in Cardiff celebrates being the first school in Cardiff to receive a Healthy Schools National Quality Award for its commitment to the scheme since 2001.
The school was one of the first in Cardiff to join the Healthy Schools scheme and has been recognised for its progress in making health and wellbeing an integral part of school life. It is one of only 17 schools throughout Wales to achieve this prestigious award.
NQA assessors visited Herbert Thompson Primary to look at seven specific areas of health, namely, food and fitness, environment, hygiene, mental health and wellbeing, personal development and relationships, safety and substance misuse. They spoke to a number of pupil groups including the school council and eco-schools committee, as well as attending the schools breakfast club, school lunch and met with staff, pupils, governors, parents and the caretaker.
The lead assessor commented in the report that: ‘Herbert Thompson has a complete wellbeing policy because it believes that all areas of health and well being are firmly linked.’
Her report also highlighted the ‘Exceptional work on Mental Emotional Health and Well
Being and the effective in-school counselling offered to parents and pupils.’
The Headteacher, Miss Hocking firmly believes that participation in the Healthy Schools scheme and the strategies put in place to improve the well being of the whole school community has been the most important contributory factor to the schools success.
Cardiff Council’s Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning presented the school with its award during a recent school assembly. Cllr Salway said:
“Congratulations to Herbert Thompson Primary School for all their hard work in achieving this award and for helping its young people develop positive attitudes, behaviour and skills for their future lives as adults. Everyone at the school can rightly be extremely proud of their achievements and I’d like to thank staff, governors, parents and children for the hard work that goes on every day at the school.”
Executive Director of Public Health at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Dr Sharon Hopkins, said: “It takes real effort to achieve this award, and Herbert Thomson Primary School has demonstrated their commitment to all aspects of the health and wellbeing of their pupils. Instilling healthy values early can help children grow to achieve their full potential, and I am delighted that they have been recognised.”
