HEALTHY school status has been granted to a host of schools across Wiltshire who successfully proved that they are doing their utmost to improve the health and wellbeing of their pupils.

Fifteen primary and secondary schools completed the Wiltshire Council-run Healthy Schools Programme and were invited to a ceremony at Greentrees Primary School in Salisbury to collect a special plaque marking their achievements.

To get to the required level, schools have to show an improved effort to promote learning and healthy lifestyle choices for children as well as delivering effective and sustainable interventions for the pupils.

And that is precisely what bronze level winners Aloeric Primary School and River Mead School, both Melksham, The Trinity Primary Academy and Devizes School, Southwick Primary, Great Bedwyn School and Sutton Veny School achieved, and Chippenham's Queen's Crescent School went one better by reaching the silver level.

Cabinet member for children’s services Laura Mayes said: "I am pleased to see so many schools getting involved in this important programme which promotes the health and wellbeing of our pupils.

"I would like to congratulate all the schools for achieving these awards. They have really come up with some unique ideas to promote good habits and caring attitudes and they are a real credit to all involved."

Queen’s Crescent School increased sun safety behaviours and appointed pupil Healthy School Ambassadors to help significantly reduce the consumption of unhealthy snacks during the school day.

Aloeric Primary School has successfully used a pupil buddy system and created Learning Champions, Southwick Primary School involved children in promoting e-safety and physical activity recycling and Sutton Veny School has promoted good oral health and improved the road safety skills of children.

A total of 57 schools have current Wiltshire Healthy Schools at bronze, silver or gold level. A total of 118 schools are currently taking part to achieve the programme with more due to join later in 2017.