Taken from the Lichfield Mercury - 23/11/09

A SECONDARY school in Lichfield has been recognised for its efforts to promote healthy living.

The Friary School was presented with a nationally recognised award during a recent Staffordshire County Council ceremony.

Pupils collected the trophy from Councillor Janet Eagland, chairman of the county's health scrutiny committee.

All of the authority's schools have signed up to Healthy Schools, a national long-term programme which aims to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of children.

To date, 279 of them have successfully gained the status and others are still working toward it.

The Friary School, off Eastern Avenue, was one of the latest to be presented with the award.

Councillor Veronica Downes, county council cabinet member for schools, praised those who received trophies at the ceremony. She said: "Congratulations to everyone involved. This is a wonderful achievement.

"These schools have shown that they have invested in being healthy and are dedicated to ongoing improvement and development in this area, equipping pupils with the skills and attitudes to help them make informed decisions."

A county council spokesman added: "Schools have worked closely with the county council and its local primary care trusts to achieve National Healthy Schools Status, which promotes the link between physical and emotional well-being.

"The National Healthy Schools programme recognises the achievement of schools within a whole school approach and is focused on four key themes of personal, social and health education, healthy eating and drinking, physical activity and emotional health and well-being."