Bradford College

Government Praises College

A new national initiative to help improve the health and wellbeing of students and staff in further education colleges has been recently announced by Bill Rammell, Minister for Further Education. 

This is excellent news for Bradford College, which has already developed a Healthy College initiative and has been singled-out for praise by the Government.  The College received official Healthy College status earlier last year - only the third College in the country to be awarded the accolade. What’s more the College hopes to become a leader in this area, offering mentoring to other Colleges in the future.

Jane Marshall, Healthy College Manager is the pioneer behind the success of the College gaining Healthy College status. Jane explained: "We joined the Healthy College Network so our students could develop the skills, information and understanding to make important life and health choices. We’ve found its also benefited our staff.  They have increased knowledge of health/well-being - and how it can play a part in developing and maintaining a positive College culture!”

Jane continued:" Our students have also been offered a variety of health initiatives such as free breakfasts, Chlamydia testing and condom distribution.  All aimed at helping them create a healthier lifestyle which they can carry on into their working lives." Jane is committed to the vision and implementation of a holistic approach to health, for all staff and students. 

Michele Sutton, College Principal and Chief Executive went on to add: “The Government is beginning to understand the need to engage with people after they leave school.  Bradford College has therefore developed the Healthy College initiative and is investing in new sports/fitness facilities to develop and support healthier lifestyles for our students. ” 
Speaking at the National Learners Panel annual event, Bill Rammell, Minister for Further Education said: “I’m delighted to announce cross-government support for a new National Healthy FE initiative, which will be of particular benefit to young people coping with the transition to adulthood.”

“There’s nothing more important than giving children and young people the best start in life they can possibly get.  We believe that the Healthy FE initiative will build upon what a number of colleges have already been actively encouraging, by providing them with even more tools and support to address the health/wellbeing needs of their students and staff.”

Bill Rammell continued: “We want this initiative to be owned and led by the further education sector.  I urge college principals to get involved with the initiative, to work with local partners, to further enhance the support available to students through their local colleges.”

The announcement supports government intentions to extend the principles of the successful National Healthy Schools Programme to colleges.  This will be used to foster closer ties between health and education within the FE sector.

For more information on the Bradford College, Healthy College initiatives, visit the Healthy College Website.  The site is packed full of information - on everything from back care advice, physical activity, staff initiatives, tips on healthy eating plus, much more!