Healthy Schools London

The Healthy Schools London Programme (HSL) is an award scheme funded by the Mayor of London which encourages schools to promote the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of the whole school community.

Local services

To see which Havering schools are registered with the programme and for more information visit Healthy Schools London.

Healthy Schools is an essential area of Public Health

We all want to help London’s children stay healthy and happy as they grow up and what happens at school every day is really important.

Schools can have a direct impact on helping children to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Whole-school policies can promote healthy food choices, physical activity, mental health, wellbeing and resilience, and positive relationships.

Schools can also help children to learn about their health, develop their motivation and self-respect to make healthy choices.

The benefits go beyond health - we know that when children are healthy and happy at school, they can achieve more.

Healthy Schools is an area of Public Health focus in Havering

Key facts

  • Obesity rates in Havering for children aged 10 - 11 (school year 6) have increased by 20 percent over the last 15 years from 32.9 percent to 40.1 percent.
  • The latest National Child Measurement Programme data shows that 22.2 percent of children aged 4 – 5 years old (school year reception) were overweight or obese, and 40.1 percent of children aged 10-11 (school year 6), were overweight or obese.
  • The 2021/22 Sport England Survey data shows that under half (42.9 percent) of school-aged children in England are meeting the daily recommended physical activity levels.

What we do in Havering

The Healthy Schools London Programme provides schools with resources to develop policies and practices that will encourage pupils to make healthy lifestyle choices both now and in the future.

Key initiatives

  • Schools are encouraged to audit the ways in which they support pupil health and wellbeing and introduce initiatives that will improve health outcomes for the whole school community.
  • All Havering schools are eligible to participate in the programme and it is free to join. Schools then can progress through the HSL Awards Pathway to gain their Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards.
  • 70 out of 89 (79 percent) of Havering schools are currently participating in the Healthy Schools London Programme.
  • Additionally, Havering’s Healthy Weight Strategy (2024-2029)provides details of the various initiatives that form part of a whole systems approach to reduce excess weight and obesity.

How you can make a change

Members of the public can:

  • visit the HSL website to see if your child’s school is participating in the Healthy Schools London Programme. If they are not, encourage them to sign up for free by registering their school.
  • support the work of their child's school by following health promoting school policies, such as their whole-school food policy, packed lunch guidance, and water only policy. By supporting healthier choices outside of the school environment you will help children to embed healthier choices for now and the future.
  • ask the Healthy Schools Lead within your child’s school how you can get involved and support their work.

Professionals working in the area can:

Register your school