Today our Public Health Team awarded Darton Academy with the Healthier Futures Accreditation, making it the first secondary school to achieve the accreditation.
The Healthier Futures Accreditation recognises schools and educational settings that are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of their children and young people. Schools can achieve the accreditation through an online platform where they receive feedback on four key pillars; physical activity, emotional health and wellbeing, food, drink and oral health, and PSHE.
Achieving the accreditation not only recognises schools for their work to support health and wellbeing, but it also helps them to provide better support going forward.
For Darton Academy, the accreditation has been key in helping to promote healthier options among students. Working with our public health team has strengthened the academy’s relationships with healthcare services, providing students with valuable opportunities to engage with expert advice from public health professionals.
Through the accreditation, the academy has also learned how important it is to have a coordinated and adaptable approach to supporting students and preparing them for life beyond the classroom. Lessons and activities are now more thoroughly informed by the resources the school have developed, adopted, or adapted as part of the accreditation process.
Cllr Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “We want children and young people in Barnsley to enjoy a life of good physical and mental health, and our Healthier Futures Accreditation means we can get schools and settings on board to help make this happen. We’re really proud of Darton Academy for achieving the accreditation. This recognition highlights their commitment to fostering a healthy and supportive environment for their students, and by working with our public health team, the academy has set a remarkable example for other schools in our community.”
Daniel Kilner, Assistant Principal at Darton Academy, said: "We are immensely proud to receive the Healthier Futures accreditation, a recognition that highlights the ongoing partnership and collaboration between our school and local authority services. This award is a testament to the dedication and collective efforts of our entire staff and the invaluable contributions of professionals beyond education in equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate their teenage years and embrace a happy, healthy future."
You can find out more about Healthier Futures on our website.
