03 September 2002

TOP-CLASS AWARDS TO FIT PUPILS

SCHOOLS which put health at the top of their agenda have gained a nationally-recognised award.

Nineteen schools in the borough gathered at the Quality Hotel, Boldon, after qualifying for the National Healthy School Standard.
Each school sent a representative along to the presentation to pick up the award from the Mayor of South Tyneside, Coun Joan Jackson, and her consort, Arthur.
The award proves nurseries, primary and secondary schools are teaching children how to stay healthy and school and health chiefs believe more will make the grade next year.
Education and health co-ordinator Alan Smith said: "This is the first year of the award and we are over the moon with 19 schools in the borough receiving the National Healthy School Standard.
"We are aiming for at least another 10 schools to reach the standard by next year."
The schools were given the opportunity after South Tyneside Education and Heath Partnership was given the power by the House of Lords to accredit the schools.
Mr Smith, who is based at Chuter Ede Education Centre in Galsworthy Road, South Shields works with senior health promotion specialist Joy Evans to create events for young people on education and health in schools.
Five schools - Mortimer Primary, Bamburgh School, Downhill Infants, Biddick Hall Infants and Whitburn School - produced a presentation of what they had learned at the award ceremony.
THE 19 schools awarded the National Healthy School Standard were: Bamburgh School, Norham Avenue, South Shields; Biddick Hall Infants and Nursery, Galsworthy Road, South Shields; Boldon School, New Road, Boldon Colliery; Cleadon Park Nursery, off Park Avenue, South Shields; Clervaux Nursery, Clervaux Terrace, Jarrow; Greenfields School, Victoria Road East, Hebburn; King George V School, Nevinson Avenue, South Shields; Westoe Infants and Nursery, Chichester Road East, South Shields; Monkton Infants, St Simon Street, South Shields; Mowbray Junior Mixed, Wardle Avenue, South Shields; Temple Park Infants, Rubens Avenue, South Shields; Temple Park Junior Mixed, Manet Gardens, South Shields; St Aloysius Infants and Nursery, Argyle Street, Hebburn; Lord Blyton Primary, Blyton Avenue, South Shields; Harton Infants and Nursery, East Avenue, South Shields; Whitburn School, Nicholas Avenue, Whitburn; Downhill Infants and Nursery, Dorset Avenue, South Shields; Monkton Junior Mixed, Dame Flora Robson Avenue, South Shields; Mortimer Primary, Mortimer Road, South Shields.