School pupils from North Yorkshire and York have been given key advice on healthy living after gathering to celebrate a scheme aimed at promoting wellbeing from a young age.

Almost 100 children were at an event at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate to mark the success of an awards initiative aimed at educating pupils to make healthier choices in life.

During the event, pupils from nine North Yorkshire schools were advised on how to keep safe online during a session with the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust and were given the chance to explore wildlife found in ponds with North Yorkshire Council’s outdoor learning service. The children also showed off their gardening skills by planting seeds with help from the Royal Horticultural Society’s education team.

Pupils also explored the importance of recycling with the Allerton Waste Recovery Park team.

Executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: “It is encouraging to see the work that is already under way in our schools in developing healthy pupils and staff.

“I am aware that actions such as improving school dinners, setting up staff and pupil wellbeing champions and increasing ways for pupils to be active throughout the school day are proving successful with pupils and staff alike.

“Being healthy helps you achieve at school and enjoy life to the full.”

So far, more than 280 of the county’s schools have signed up to take part in our Healthy Schools Award Programme. Since its launch three years ago, 161 of those schools have now gained awards in the scheme which recognises pupils’ efforts to improve their health and wellbeing.

Participating schools work towards bronze, silver or gold healthy school status by meeting criteria across four themes:

Among those participating was Glusburn Community Primary School which achieved the gold healthy schools award.

The school’s head of values and ethos, Lynn Ashton, said: “Participating in the Healthy Schools Programme and achieving the gold award has reinforced our whole-school commitment to supporting the physical and emotional wellbeing of every member of our community.

“To have health and wellbeing as a central part of the curriculum is incredibly important. Teaching pupils about dealing with emotions and how to take care of themselves are skills that will last a lifetime.”

Director of public health, Louise Wallace, added: “We all had a great day exploring ideas for how pupils can work together to make positive changes in their school.

“It was an honour to present schools with their Healthy Schools certificates, which they have worked so hard to achieve.”

Schools attending the event were Le Cateau Primary School, Catterick Garrison; Oatlands Infant school in Harrogate; Glusburn Community Primary School, Glusburn; Willowtree Community Primary School, Harrogate; All Saints Church of England Primary School (Kirkby Overblow); Alanbrooke Academy in Thirsk, Bedale Church of England Primary School, Hempland Primary School in York and New Park Primary Academy in Harrogate.

Member champion for young people, Cllr Alyson Baker, also presented the awards to the schools.

All schools in North Yorkshire and York can sign up to the Healthy Schools Award Programme at no cost. Find out more about the Healthy Schools Award Programme online or email [email protected]