Up until now, schools have worked towards National Healthy Schools Status (NHSS) and when ready, external validators from the Local Authority and health services have spent time visiting schools, reading through evidence and talking to staff, governors, parents and pupils to affirm that they have achieved NHSS. Now schools self-validate.

Steps to self-validation:

• Schools register onto the national healthy schools website www.healthyschools.gov.uk
• Schools complete the online audit tool
• If necessary schools ask for support from their local Healthy Schools Coordinator and book pre-self validation visit
• When ready, schools submit a self validation form to a local Quality Assurance Group (QUAG)
• A Quality Assurance Group meets three times a year to look at these forms and verify schools' healthy school status - please check with your local coordinator for the deadline dates for the submission
• Representatives from the QUAG will moderate and visit a minimum of 10% of schools
• Schools is awarded the National Healthy Schools Status and receives plaque and certificate.

YOUNG PEOPLE STOP SMOKING COORDINATORS

are in post now and provide smoking cessation services for young people in Berkshire schools.

To find out more, please contact:

Maria David, Young People Stop Smoking Coordinator for Berkshire East PCT

Email: maria.david@berkshire.nhs.uk Tel: 01344 823338

Sylvia Marusic, Young People Stop Smoking Coordinator for Berkshire West PCT

Email: sylvia.marusic@berkshire.nhs.uk Tel: 0118 9495192