NORTH West schools have been urged to become more healthy by developing personal, social and health education.

Minister for Public Health Tessa Jowell and School Standards Minister Jacqui Smith are encouraging schools to work towards recognition under a national standard in areas such as healthy eating, exercise, emotional well-being, drugs education, safety and citizenship.

At the launch of the National Healthy Schools Standard, Mrs Jowell said: "The knowledge, skills and attitudes which we learn and practise while at school potentially stay with us for life.

"Schools can therefore be springboards to future long-term health."

Mrs Smith added: "Healthy pupils have a much better chance of achieving their full potential.

"The strength of the standard is that it combines a national quality standard with the flexibility for local partnerships and schools to decide on what they need and what works for them."

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