It is greatly hoped that, though the Government may no longer fund the National Healthy Schools Initiative, Tim Hull, Essex and Southend Healthy Schools co-ordinator, will succeed in convincing Essex County Council to keep it running, and that other councils may do the same.

Many people give their own and professional time to this work, and it has made a considerable impact on schools involved.

In today’s society, where many people are aware of their rights, they do not always recognise where their personal responsibilities may lie. The National Healthy Schools Initiative encourages children to seek some personal responsibility from early school days.

It has wide curricular links and covers a range of subjects, some of which include protecting your own safety, caring for others, importance of healthy diet and exercise, looking after the environment, how a school council works, being part of a community, and many more topics.

Pupils are actively encouraged to develop these in everyday and school life.

Monitoring effectiveness of this subject and planning further action involves children and staff across the school, parents, governors and folk from the community.

In a very busy society, the microcosm which is the school community encourages continuous development of an effective, caring, and inclusive environment, thus sowing the seeds of good practice for adult life.

Tim Hull and supporters across Essex have worked hard for many years to make this vision impact on the lives of Essex children.

I pray the funding will continue to be available to support their many needs as society changes.

Lynne Abbott
Sussex Road
Colchester