Minutes of the Meeting Healthy Schools Topic Group 11 March 2011

MINUTES of the meeting of the HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROGRAMME TOPIC GROUP held on Friday 11 March 2011 at 10.00 AM

ATTENDANCE

Members of the Topic Group

M Cowan, F R G Hill, J K Maddern, R L Shakespeare-Smith, D Thomson, J W A Usher

Also in attendance

Dr. Hilary Angwin, Consultant in Public Health

Liz Biggs, Team Leader – Health and Wellbeing

Fiona Corcoran, Democratic Services Officer

Nic Holmes, PE and Sports Development Adviser

Lin O’Brien, Head of Hertfordshire Catering

Natalie Rotherham, Scrutiny Officer

Louise Shuttleworth, Healthy Schools Adviser – Healthy Eating

Karen Summers, PSHE and Citizenship Adviser

Jane Walton, Locality Manager – Children’s Universal Services

1. / APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN
1.1 / It was noted that F R G Hill had been appointed Chairman and
M Cowan had been appointed Vice-Chairman of the Topic Group for the duration of its work.
2. / GENERIC TOPIC GROUP INFORMATION
2.1 / The generic topic group information was noted.
3. / REMIT OF THE TOPIC GROUP
3.1 / The Group noted its remit and scope.
4. / SCRUTINY OF THE HEALTHY SCHOOLS PROGRAMME
4.1 / The Group received a series of presentations and took evidence from a number of witnesses during the course of the day. The main points arising from witness evidence and Member debate are summarised below. Presentations from witnesses and background information provided to Members may be viewed at

4.2 / Introduction and Overview of the Hertfordshire Healthy Schools Programme, Liz Biggs, Team Leader – Health and Wellbeing
The Topic Group received a presentation, giving an overview of the Healthy Schools Programme including the background, history and purpose of the programme, the number of schools involved and the progress and achievements of the programme. The presentation can be viewed on the hertsdirect website at the link provided under minute 4.1.
The following points were highlighted:

The Healthy Schools Programme was set up in 1999, jointly established by the Department of Education (DfE) and the Department of Health (DH).

In order to achieve Healthy School Status, schools must achieve 41 nationally set criteria within the themes of Personal Social Health Education, Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Emotional Health and Wellbeing.

In March 2011, there were 425 (82%) schools in the county with Healthy Schools Status and 79 (15.5%) working towards achieving Healthy Schools Status. It was highlighted that 5 independent schools are involved in the programme.

It was noted that the success of the programme was the result of ongoing work over the last 10 years.

It was noted that Primary Care Trust (PCT) engagement was currently good and placed the programme in a strong position to respond to future changes in Health.

Schools now recognise the contribution of addressing health and wellbeing to support standards and achievement.

Achievements of the Healthy Schools Programme were highlighted and include the implementation of the Healthy Related Behaviour Questionnaire, which is a two yearly survey of over 10,000 pupils in the county on a range of health related issues. Below is a link to the survey:

4.3 / In general discussion the following points were made:

Schools should be encouraged to speak directly to parents/carers if a child is obese. Parents and children need to address the issue together. The National Child Measurement Programme will identify where each child is on the spectrum of obesity and parents/carers will be sent a letter informing them of this. It was noted that it is a sensitive subject and parents do not always accept the advice they are offered.

The Healthy Schools team work closely with the travel team and have input on the school travel plans.

It is very difficult for a school to control what parents put into packed lunches for their children. Hertfordshire Catering have shown example packed lunches that are healthy and unhealthy in order to educate and influence parents. Hertfordshire Catering offers a packed lunch option as part of their healthy choice menu, which is nutritionally balanced and costs £1.90 for a primary school child. This packed lunch option has been successful and is viewed by parents as good value for money.

4.4 / Dr. Hilary Angwin, Consultant in Public Health, Primary Care Trust

The Topic Group was provided with a briefing paper, which can be viewed at the link under minute 4.1.

School nurses and health visitors were originally part of the Primary Care Trust (PCT). Since then commissioner and provider services have been split so now the PCT commissions services but does not provide them.

Current public health priorities such as sexual health, smoking and childhood obesity were highlighted. Members heard how these issues are being addressed, for example members of the team go into 75 of the 85 secondary schools in the county and give a talk on chlamydia to sixth form (and sometimes year 11) students, followed by the opportunity for students to take a test for chlamydia.

The national child measurement programme for children in reception and year six, is provided via successful joint working between the PCT and Children, Schools and Families (CSF). Children who are obese and overweight will now be followed up more actively.

It is important that the Healthy Schools Programme is extended to Children’s Centres to ensure key messages around healthy eating and physical activity are acted upon before children reach school age as 25% children are overweight or obese when they start school.

GP Consortia will be taking over commissioning from PCTs in April 2013.

4.5 / Jane Walton, Locality Manager – Children’s Universal Services

The Topic Group was provided with a briefing paper, which can be viewed at the link under minute 4.1.

The benefits of joint working were highlighted, noting that this is the most efficient and cost effective way of working and ensures areas of work and specific tasks are not duplicated. Examples of partnership working with the Healthy Schools Programme include the School Health representation on the quality assurance group.

The national PSHE continuing professional development programme is highly valued and has been a great support to the School Health team, initiating a programme for school nurses to develop teaching skills and a way of benchmarking these skills.

There has been close working between School Health and the Healthy Schools Programme team to identify the core offer, which allowed for standardisation and monitoring of what was being delivered.

Links with the Healthy Schools team have helped in liaising with schools and minimised the disruption of the school nurse going into a school.

4.6 / In general discussion, the following points were made:

Although it would not be feasible for children to be weighed and measured every year, children identified as vulnerable would be measured more often.

All schools have an entitlement to a school nurse service and will continue to do so.

The named school nurse that each school works with directly would be identified in their Healthy Schools Programme evidence.

If a school had the capacity and wished to weigh and measure children on a more regular basis, they could do this but it must be noted that parental consent is needed and the results cannot be stored on a child’s school record. It has been established from a legal perspective that this information can only be stored on a child’s healthy record. In addition to this there are issues of stigma and parental reaction that would need to be taken into account by schools.

4.7 / Louise Shuttleworth, Healthy Schools Adviser – Healthy Eating

The Topic Group was provided with a briefing paper, which can be viewed at the link under minute 4.1.

The role and responsibilities of the Healthy Eating Adviser were outlined. The responsibilities include supporting schools to achieve and maintain Healthy Schools Status, write food policies and set up and maintain breakfast clubs. The role also includes providing guidance to schools and parents around healthy eating and legislation.

Projects include working with the 50 most deprived schools in the county based on Free School Meal data and working with special schools where many pupils have special dietary requirements.

When the Healthy Schools Programme was introduced, very few children knew how many portions of fruit and vegetables they should eat per day but now most are aware of this and are able to describe healthy eating and explain why it is important.

Healthy eating sessions are run for staff and parents as well as children.

The Healthy Schools team work with Hertfordshire Adult and Family Learning Service (HAFLS) in schools and Children’s Centres, working with adults and children together.

A range of courses are offered, including Junior Eating and Exercise (JEX) in Dacorum, which focused on healthy eating and physical activity in fun group sessions for children of mixed age groups. Food safety courses are also offered for school staff and those working in breakfast and after school clubs. Courses such as Healthy Matters and Essentially Dance are offered for ExtendedSchools and School Sports Partnerships.

A range of resources have been produced including a Healthy Eating lesson plan book, Healthy Lifestyles parent leaflet, Food Safety advice booklet for whole school staff and Governors, a packed lunch leaflet and tools for completing and maintaining Healthy Schools status.

4.8 / Lin O’Brien, Head of Hertfordshire Catering

The Topic Group was provided with a presentation which can be viewed on the hertsdirect website at the link provided under minute 4.1.

Hertfordshire Catering is a service provider and is part of Hertfordshire County Council.

In the last year a number of schools who had previously opted out have had discussions with Hertfordshire Catering with a view to opt in again, in some part due to financial sustainability, legislation, food hygiene and standards.

There have been significant changes in the area of school food in recent years, with the influence of Jamie Oliver’s campaign, the evolution of the School Food Trust, and the introduction of food and nutrient based standards.

In terms of stakeholder engagement, customer surveys and menu testing are carried out regularly. All foods are trialled by students before being added to a menu. Hertfordshire Catering can have a presence at parent’s evenings for new parents and gives presentations to schools and governors.

4.9 / In general discussion the following points were raised:

Hertfordshire Catering provides services to more primary schools than secondary schools. This could be in part because in secondary schools, some older children can leave the site at lunchtime and have more freedom to buy unhealthy snacks and bring them in to school. In the last year 5 secondary schools have returned to Hertfordshire Catering, other secondary schools may do the same but are currently tied in to contracts with private contractors.

The packed lunch option on the school menu was introduced 18 months ago and schools are encouraged to offer this where uptake of school meals is low.

Regardless of whether catering is provided privately, in-house or by Herts Catering, the meals must meet nutritional requirements, although new academies and Free Schools will not have to comply with the guidelines.

4.10 / The following DVD was made available to the Topic Group:

4.11 / Nic Holmes, PE and Sports Development Adviser

The Topic Group was provided with a briefing paper, which can be viewed at the link under minute 4.1.

Between 2003 and 2010 the PE and Sports Strategy for Young People has significantly changed PE and school sport.The strategy included a focus on 2 hours of PE and sport for all pupils, volunteering and leadership, competition, community links and increasing the number of sports offered each year.

The 2012 Olympic legacy remains a key feature of current PE and school sport policy. Competitive sport inside and outside of school is now being prioritised by the DfE and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS.)

There is the potential for the Healthy Schools programme to provide the infrastructure for schools working towards sustainability of the programme into the future.

4.12 / In general discussion, the following points were made:

With regard to the Sports Partnership, the current arrangements will remain until August 2011 but the details of how funding will be allocated after that are not yet known.

Schools have discovered a new way of partnership working through the infrastructure that has been established by the Healthy Schools Programme.

In future School Travel Plans will not be funded and the School Sports Partnership may not be funded in the same way but aspirational schools will maximise use of voluntary organisations and staff.

Volunteering is important for young people, allowing them to develop skills and take on responsibility.

4.13 / Karen Summers PSHE and Citizenship Adviser

The Hertfordshire Healthy Schools Annual Subscription package and its benefits were outlined. Details were provided in a presentation and can be found at the link below.

Healthy Schools Programme Annual Subscription

Schools will welcome the continuity of having a named adviser from the Health and Wellbeing team to act as a key point of contact, providing dedicated advice, consultancy and support by phone or email.

The programme will continue to work on the self-review model and receive a 2 hour recognition visit.

4.14 / Hertfordshire Schools from April 2011, Liz Biggs, Team Leader – Health and Wellbeing

Arrangements from April 2011 were outlined and details provided in a presentation which can be found at the link below.

from April 2011

Copies of the celebration of success booklet were shown to the group.

Schools can choose when to access their half day support visit so the support can be responsive to the school’s needs.

From April 2011 the Hertfordshire Healthy Schools Programme will operate on a traded basis in the format of an annual subscription fee of £700.

Monitoring of the Hertfordshire Healthy Schools Programme will take place within the new Health and Wellbeing Board.

4.15 / In general discussion, the following points were made:

Regardless of the size of the school, the amount of support they receive from the Healthy Schools Programme is the same and therefore the cost is also the same. Schools, especially larger ones, can choose to add on extra services at additional cost.

The Healthy Schools Programme will not be trading to make a profit so any profits would be reinvested.

As many services to schools will be traded in future, it is difficult for schools to know how many of the services they previously received for free will now be charged. There has been a positive response from schools to the Healthy Schools traded services but the expected take up will be clearer when schools have more information on their budgets and which other services they will need to buy in.

Schools with Academy status can also be part of the Healthy Schools Programme but the charge will be higher for them.

One of the benefits for schools of accessing this service through the County Council is that there is ensured sustainability and quality assurance as well as links to Ofsted and the national curriculum.

It is positive that children are being taught to grow plants, especially vegetables and this is a useful element of the Healthy Schools Programme. Participation in schemes such as ‘Vegfest’ should be encouraged. In some schools children have grown vegetables and the school has linked in with Herts Catering to allow the children to cook and eat the vegetables they grew.

The Healthy Schools Programme will also offer the traded services to other counties.

As part of their annual subscription, schools will be entitled to a half day consultation. Schools are also encouraged to group together in local consortia to share their sessions in order to get the most benefit from the input.

The Healthy Schools team at the Council are able to draw on established links with partner organisations such as the Police and health, which means they can offer benefits that private providers cannot. It is important that schools are made aware of this.

Communication will be key to the success of the Healthy Schools Programme as a traded service.

Children being active at the beginning of the day has an impact on learning so should be encouraged. It was suggested that the use of scooters by children of all ages could be promoted.

5
5.1
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv) / RECOMMENDATIONS
Members agreed broad areas for recommendation arising from the evidence and debates. These included:
Schools are encouraged to undertake a variety of physical activities;
The focus on healthy eating is maintained and enhanced by schools and Children, Schools and Families;
Communication of the Annual Subscription Offer more clearly emphasises the key benefits;
Children, Schools and Familiesensures all members are aware that academies are not obliged to implement the lunchtime dietary requirements and seeks ways of encouraging academies to maintain a focus on a healthy lifestyle.
5.2 / It was agreed that the final wording of the recommendations would be agreed by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Topic Group. A draft of the final report would then be circulated to all Members of the Group before being finalised. The final report will be sent to all witnesses. It was noted that Executive Members for Education & Skillswould receive a copy of the final report and would be asked to provide a response to the recommendations within two months of its publication. Progress against the recommendations will then be monitored by the HSC Monitoring of Recommendations Topic Group.
5.3 / The Chairman thanked the Members of the Topic Group and witnesses for their valuable contributions.

Fiona Corcoran