Press release -
Birmingham primary schools lead the way for healthy living
Local pupils and staff from fourteen primary schools across Birmingham have been recognised for their work in embracing sustainable, healthy lifestyles throughout their school and wider communities.
The awards ceremony, which took place last Friday (13th February), invited representatives from the fourteen primary schools to celebrate their achievements, and receive awards by guest of honour, Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Ken Wood.
Funded by Mondelēz International and delivered in partnership with Birmingham-based charity, Services for Education, with the support of The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), the Health for Life® programme provides schools with funding, training and resources to help develop a school-wide healthy lifestyle ethos. Since 2011, Health for Life® has worked with 240 Birmingham nursery, primary and secondary schools, engaging thousands of pupils, staff members, families and communities.
Focusing on healthy eating and cooking skills, increased physical activity, and growing fruit and vegetables, schools are supported by Health for Life® to introduce initiatives that strive to involve the whole school community in healthier lifestyle activities.
Award-winning initiatives from this year’s cohort included installing composting stations and polytunnels in school outdoor areas, launching parent and children’s workshops on healthy eating, running collaborative cooking sessions, and developing lunch menus and recipe trails.
Schools also grew vegetables and fruit in purpose-built raised beds, planters, or encouraged pupils to reduce, re-use and recycle household items such as old welly boots as plant pots. As well as gardening, schools also led weekly, dedicated physical activity classes, clubs, and games for pupils to take part in.
Lucie Welch, Interim Health for Life® Programme Lead at Services for Education, said: “We’re so proud of the achievements of our schools, who have embraced the programme, embedding it into their curriculums and daily life.
“Year on year, we see new and exciting ways to get stuck in, which this year has included pop-up swimming pools, Bhangra dancing, growing fruit and vegetables and fun and informative cooking sessions.
This awards ceremony is the perfect way to celebrate our school’s successes, highlighting their wonderful achievements, knowledge and understanding they have gained, setting them up for healthier choices for life.”
Kelly Farrell, Community Affairs Manager at Mondelēz International, added: “The Health for Lifeprogramme is now in its fifteenth year, and it’s fantastic to see the enthusiasm and dedication from primary schools and their pupils which continues to bring about positive and lasting changes.
“Every year we see different approaches and new ideas for engaging both students and their families in fun ways, which is really inspiring. We’re delighted to host the awards ceremony, recognising and celebrating the efforts of everyone involved.”
For more information on the Health for Life® scheme including how primary schools can get involved, visit www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/health-for-life/. For further details on Mondelēz International, head to www.mondelezinternational.com.
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Notes to Editors:
The full list of the 14 primary schools to receive a Health for Life award include:
Barford Primary School, Ladywood |
Brookfields Primary School, Hockley |
Hollyfield Primary School, Sutton Coldfield |
Maryvale Catholic Primary School, Kingstanding |
Oasis Academy, Short Heath |
Regents Park Primary School, Small Heath |
Saints Peter & Paul's Catholic School, Erdington |
St George’s Primary Academy, Newtown |
St John's C of E Primary School, Sparkhill |
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Sutton Coldfield |
St. Thomas C of E Primary School, Attwood Green |
Starbank School, South Yardley |
Starbank School, Small Heath |
The Wisdom Academy, Aston |
About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2024 net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion, Mondelēz International is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; and Sour Patch Kids candy. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
About Health for Life®
About Health for Life®
- Health for Life is an evidence-based programme supporting children and adults in Birmingham to live healthier lifestyles by engaging people in growing food, physical activity, healthy eating and cookery.
- Health for Life was introduced in 2011, funded by Mondelēz International with an investment of £5.2 million to date, and delivered in schools by Services For Education and in the community by The Conservation Volunteers.
- The programme has now engaged 240 Birmingham schools comprising 196 primary, 26 nursery and 18 secondary schools benefitting 81,600 pupils. It has also involved around 185,000 adults in the city including teachers, parents and community members, with a total reach of around 266,600 people.
- Over 1,440 Mondelēz International employee volunteers have given practical support to programme schools and community spaces.
- Health for Life has developed 20 community food growing spaces and continues to deliver Green Gym activities in seven locations.
- The programme has received national acclaim, receiving the Food and Drinks Federation Health and Wellbeing Award; Business in the Community’s ‘Big Tick’ and awards for both the Health for Life show garden and separate schools’ wheelbarrow displays at BBC Gardeners’ World.
About Services For Education
Services For Education is a unique charity that uses the power of learning and of music to create and build confidence amongst children, young people and adults in communities across the West Midlands, delivering educational programmes to support the wider community to become the best people they can be, regardless of their background. The organisation is the delivery partner for Health for Life in primary schools and has supported the programme since its launch in 2011.
For more information, visit https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/health-for-life/.
