What the Specialist Awards are, what topics you can do specialist awards in and how your school can achieve them.
Specialist awards focus on specific health and wellbeing topics.
You can start working on Specialist Awards before achieving the Essential Award. However, we encourage all schools to complete the Essential Award before or alongside the Specialist Awards.
What the specialist awards help your school improve
The specialist awards allow your school to strengthen:
- leadership and accountability
- staff knowledge and confidence
- policies, procedures, and referral pathways
- curriculum provision and pupil participation
- early identification and support
- the school environment, families, and the wider community
You can select a specialist award that reflects the needs and priorities of your pupils and school community.
How long it takes
We recommend that you complete the application within one year, so that your answers stay up to date.
How we support you
The Bristol Healthy Schools team provides guidance, resources and support throughout the process.
If you have any questions about getting your school involved, you can contact us.
What you'll get
When your school achieves a specialist award, your school will:
- receive a Healthy Schools certificate
- be able to use award logos on your website or letterheads
- be added to our Healthy Schools website, so your local community and other schools can learn about the work you do as a Healthy School
- receive continued support from the Bristol Healthy Schools Team
Award topics
Mental health and wellbeing
Creating a school culture that supports positive pupil and staff mental health and helps those with poor mental health.
Food environment
Creating a culture that promotes healthy eating and drinking, supports cooking and growing food and makes healthy choices possible and attractive.
Bristol ideal award
Tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence (the Bristol ideal award): promoting healthy relationships and gender equality and supporting those at risk of or experiencing abuse.
Physical activity
Encouraging physical activity and reducing barriers to being active.
Understanding substances
Preventing, delaying and reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Dental health
Encouraging good dental health among Bristol school children.