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Schools across South Tyneside have been recognised for the vital role they play in keeping children and young people healthy.

A total of 27 schools have received a Healthy Schools award which seeks to embed best practice in health and wellbeing in places where children and young people learn. This is further evidence that the Council is delivering on its priority of supporting families.

Every year the Council's public health team supports schools to meet criteria in the areas of physical activity, healthy eating, emotional wellbeing and personal, health and social education. Schools are reassessed every three years to ensure best practice is upheld.

Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "Schools are ideally placed to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of our young people.

"The pandemic has shown just how vital this work has been and our whole school community deserve our thanks for keeping children safe and well during such challenging times.

"It isn't easy to achieve the Healthy Schools Award, particularly given the difficulties presented by Covid over the past two years, but it is wonderful that we have so many committed schools going the extra mile to put the wellbeing of our young people at the centre of all they do."

Initiatives introduced as part of the scheme include a trim trail at Biddick Hall Infant and Nursery School to improve the children's core strength while at Laygate Primary School a 'Spread the Happiness' initiative reminds both staff and students of their achievements which enhances emotional wellbeing.

Councillor Ellison added: "Covid-19 put health and wellbeing at the forefront of everyone's minds. Going forward, we need to build on that and encourage our young people to make healthy choices which they can then take forward into adulthood."