“Interest has been overwhelming this year,” says Arianne Westhuis, Healthy School programme manager. “We have never before received so many applications from schools. Through our approach, all these schools want to work structurally and systematically to promote a healthy lifestyle. That is a wonderful development. We were unable to approve all applications from schools. However, all schools can get started with the Healthy School approach via the website, with or without the additional support.” Schools that receive support from the Healthy School Support Programme receive €3,000 for the working hours of their own staff member, who will then also become the Healthy School coordinator, for the purchase of a recognised Healthy School activity, or to apply for the Healthy School quality mark. They also receive 10 hours of support per school from the Healthy School adviser at the local GGD Municipal Public Health Service.

Criteria for awarding support

A number of criteria are taken into account when awarding support. Natascha Ponsioen, project manager of the Support Programme, explains: “For example, priority is given to schools that have not received support before. Schools in disadvantaged neighbourhoods and schools with specific target groups are also more likely to be awarded support. For some themes, such as Relationships & Sexuality and Nutrition, we have received additional financial resources from the National Prevention Agreement, enabling more schools to make use of the support. A total of 580 primary schools, 205 secondary schools and 68 vocational education locations will now get started with the Healthy School approach.” The themes of Well-being, Physical activity and sports, and Nutrition remain the most popular themes for schools to work on. It is striking that more than 100 schools have chosen to work on the Relationships & Sexuality theme.

All schools have now been informed about whether they have been awarded support. They are now appointing a Healthy School coordinator who will coordinate the activities within the school. He or she will also attend a one-day Healthy School training course, unless the coordinator has already completed the postgraduate programme in Sportive and Healthy Schools.

Numbers for the Support Programme, school year 2019–2020.

Awarded, by theme and type of education:

PO primary education

VO secondary education

MBO vocational education

Physical activity and sports

155

32

10

Nutrition

200

102

26

Well-being

117

18

14

Smoking, alcohol and drug prevention

11

17

7

Relationships and sexuality

56

36

11

Environment and nature

34

Physical safety

7

Totals

580

205

68

853

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