SCHEMES to improve the physical and mental well-being of pupils have been recognised.

South Stanley Infants School has won the Healthy School Standard.

The standard aims to help children make healthy life-style choices and includes drugs education, emotional health and wellbeing, healthy eating, physical activity, citizenship, bullying, and sex and relationships education.

The staff and governors focused on bullying, self-esteem and confidence in the children.

Developments at the school also included introducing fruit at morning break times, installing a new kitchen to help improve school meals and providing drinking water for every classroom.

Headteacher Oughtie Bridge said: "We are delighted. This award encourages people to be healthy, keep safe and eat the right foods.

"Because this is such a poor area, children's health is an important issue. We used to give out sweets for good attendance - now we give out pencils."

Peter Innes, chairman of Derwentside Primary Care Trust presented the award.

He said: "Today's young people are tomorrow's adults and by raising their awareness to the importance of their health and wellbeing we will, hopefully, see fitter and healthier people in the Derwentside area in the future."