Richmond's commitment to fostering healthy environments in its schools has been highlighted in a new film, It Takes a Village,
which serves as the borough's Annual Director of Public Health Report.
The film, presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday, 12 March 2026, showcases the achievements and impact of the Healthy Schools Programme. It highlights the programme's role as a cornerstone for prevention and public health strategies, acting as a vital bridge between education settings and the community. Since its relaunch in 2021, schools in Richmond have achieved 16 Bronze, 3 Silver, and 2 Gold Healthy Schools awards, totalling 21 awards across the borough. The film aims to inspire more schools to join the programme, further strengthening Richmond's commitment to the initiative and contributing to the 'Start Well' section of the Richmond Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
Dr. Ramia Ravindrone, consultant in public health, introduced the report, explaining that the film format was chosen to engage a broad audience, including children, teachers, public health professionals, and other stakeholders. The Healthy Schools Programme, which builds on a whole-school and community approach, has become a cornerstone for prevention and public health strategies.
Currently, the programme is operating at full capacity, supporting 45 primary schools, 11 secondary schools, and three SEND schools in Richmond. Zdenka Buchan, the public health lead for schools and youth settings, noted that any expansion would require additional funding or resources from partner organizations to ensure its sustainability.
Councillor Nancy Baldwin praised the film's vibrant presentation and asked about the programme's reach. Buchan confirmed that the programme offers a universal range of trainings and awards, with schools choosing to engage. She also highlighted the importance of building relationships with schools and ensuring training is available to prepare them for new guidelines. Schools are being trained to prepare for new RSAG guidelines that need to be taught starting September 1st, 2026.
The film is being shared widely to engage more schools with the programme, with a recommendation for the Health and Wellbeing Board to note the report and support its further dissemination. The effectiveness of the Healthy Schools Programme is being measured through the achievement of awards, and the film also aims to illustrate the wide-ranging impact of the programme by showcasing its accessibility, innovation, and relevance to a broad audience. Four concise case studies are integrated into the film, illustrating a range of public health initiatives, programmes, and events that schools can engage with as part of the Healthy Schools offer. More detailed case studies are also available, highlighting each school's progress and experiences within the Healthy Schools framework.
Schools are currently under significant pressure from various areas. The Healthy Schools Programme addresses this by ensuring that training for schools is available to prepare them for new guidelines. The programme also focuses on building relationships with schools and offering a universal program of training and support, which schools can choose to engage with. The programme aims to make itself enticing by offering these supports and building relationships, leading schools to inquire about working on the Healthy Schools Award.
