Our goal is to support schools in helping children and young people grow in a healthy, safe, and responsible way. Schools offer a unique environment where they can make a lasting impact on children’s nutrition, eating habits, physical activity, and overall wellbeing, shaping their future for later life.
For children, this means eating a balanced diet, getting 60 minutes of exercise each day, enjoying quality time with family and friends, getting enough sleep, practicing good personal hygiene, and attending regular health appointments.
The Lancaster Model (TLM) health and development reviews
We offer assessments at reception, year six, year 10, and year 12 using The Lancaster Model (TLM), an early identification and prevention framework designed to assess strengths, needs, and risks. TLM provides an opportunity to:
- discuss concerns and aspirations
- assess physical health, growth, and development
- address mental or emotional health issues
- identify needs that may require targeted interventions.
All data collected is confidential and anonymous. Our team uses this information to create population-based public health reports for schools, enabling them to better address pupils' needs. This work supports the Healthy Child Programme, helps us plan services, and makes sure children receive the health and wellbeing support they need as early as possible.
2023/24 year six results
- 73 per cent take part in at least one hour of moderate physical activity every day.
- 22 per cent have worries or concerns about their health.
- 66 per cent feel they are just right, 19 per cent feel they are overweight and 9 per cent feel they are underweight.
- 32 per cent are trying to lose weight and 15 per cent have cut out meals to try to change their shape or weight.
- 73 per cent eat less than five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
2024/25 year six results
- 73 per cent have breakfast before school.
- 77 per cent feel happy at school.
- 94 per cent get help and support from their family.
- 72 per cent eat less than the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
- 92 per cent enjoy moderate physical activity but only 72 per cent are doing a minimum of one hour of moderate physical activity a day.
- 23 per cent have concerns about their body changing.
- 19 per cent have worries about their emotional health.
2023/24 year 10 results
- 64 per cent take part in at least one hour of moderate physical activity every day.
- 18 per cent have worries or concerns about their health.
- 39 per cent are trying to lose weight and 21 per cent have cut out meals to try to change their shape or weight.
- 83 per cent eat less than five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
- 42 per cent have breakfast before school starts
You can find more useful information and resources on healthy eating and physical activity below.
By offering healthier food and drink options and encouraging healthy eating habits from an early age, schools help set the foundation for lifelong positive behaviours.
A balanced, varied diet is essential for children to get the nutrients and energy their bodies need to grow, function properly, maintain a healthy weight, and feel their best. Since eating habits are formed during childhood, introducing children to healthier food and drink choices early on makes it more likely these habits will stick with them throughout their lives.
On the other hand, children whose diets or physical activity levels are not healthy may become overweight, obese, or even underweight. These issues can significantly affect their health, not only during childhood but also in later life.
Resources about nutrition
- Food a fact of life has free resources for teaching young people aged three to 16 years about where food comes from, cooking and healthy eating. They have cooking skills videos, easy recipes, worksheets and much more to support teachers deliver their food and nutrition education programmes.
- Eat, Move, Learn - World Cancer Research Fund – have some fun resources, recipes and activity ideas all about healthy living for teachers, children and families.
- The Campaign Resource Centre has teaching resources for primary and secondary schools. They cover a range of topics including nutrition, physical activity and mental wellbeing, designed for use throughout the school year to encourage pupils to build healthier habits for life.
- Veg Power – 80 per cent of children aren’t eating enough vegetables. VegPower has free downloadable posters and activity sheets and workbooks that can be used to make learning about healthy eating fun.
Documents
- The School food standards practical guide is designed to help children develop healthy eating habits, and make sure they have the energy and nutrition they need.
- Whole School Food Policy - food has a significant role to play in determining health and wellbeing, establishing social roles and reflecting and shaping the school's ethos and individuals' values.
Physical activity is crucial for children and young people’s development and wellbeing. It helps children and young people maintain a healthy weight, build strong bones and muscles, and develop cardiovascular fitness. Regular exercise also reduces the risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease later in life.
All young people should have the opportunity to live healthy and active lives and a positive experience of sport and physical activity at a young age can build a lifetime habit of participation.
Active Kent and Medway supports primary schools across the county to put PE, school sport and physical activity at the heart of school life and make sure children and young people have positive experiences of sport and physical activity both in and out of school. They do this through providing advice and guidance around the PE and Sport Premium for primary schools, showcasing good practice, insight, funding opportunities and guidance to those delivering sessions. They have lots of information and resources to help you provide positive experiences for children and young people when they take part in sport and physical activity.
Resources about physical activity
- The Everyday Active Schools Programme is designed to increase children’s physical activity levels by taking a whole school approach to embedding physical activity across the school day. The free programme involves an initial on-boarding workshop for all staff, leading to a bespoke action plan to work towards, whilst receiving ongoing support, resources and progress meetings. Book your Everyday Active Schools workshop here
- Kent School Games aims to inspire young people to be physically active for life through positive experiences of daily activity and competition. For further information on the Kent School Games please contact your local school games organiser or email: Kentschoolgames@kent.gov.uk
- The Daily Mile is a free national initiative, supporting schools to get children fit for life and learning regardless of age, ability or personal circumstances. It’s a simple and effective concept which can help to reduce health inequalities and improve fitness, mental wellbeing, resilience and self-care.
- The Daily Mile Children Fit for Life Award is a brand-new award, designed to recognise and celebrate schools that have fully embraced The Daily Mile in their setting. This award aims to bring tangible benefits and a positive impact to your school community.
- SEND Disney Inspired Shooting Stars is a free programme designed for schools to inspire young people with SEND to engage in their active minutes through football. The programme provides a suite of resource cards that include ready-made session plans including fun, inclusive activities for pupils encouraging the development of their fundamental movement skills.
- The Campaign Resource Centre has teaching resources for both primary and secondary schools. They cover a range of topics including nutrition, physical activity and mental wellbeing, designed for use throughout the school year to encourage pupils to build healthier habits for life
- Walk to School want a nation where walking is the natural choice for everyday local journeys. Their mission is to achieve a better walking environment and inspire people to walk more.
- Inclusion 2028 is a Department for Education-funded grant designed to improve the choices and chances of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
through a series of targeted interventions in physical education (PE), school sport, and physical activity. - Ideas to help make your school an inclusive place for children and young people with ADHD, through the lens of physical activity.
- Toolkit illustrating practical examples and learnings by Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion Schools in a project specifically designed to support girls with ASC.
- Tips for making events inclusive to neurodivergent individuals.
Documents
- Physical activity guidelines: Infographic explaining the physical activity needed for general health benefits for children and young people aged five to 18 years.
- Physical activity guidelines for disabled children and disabled young people: Infographic explaining the physical activity needed for general health benefits for disabled children and disabled young people.
- Sport England: Take a deep dive into the data from the Active Lives Children and Young People surveys.
- NHS: Physical activity guidelines for children and young people.