Schools and colleges celebrate growth of Wigan Borough's wellbeing network
Dancers from Fred Longworth High School receive their Healthy Schools certificate from the Mayor of Wigan Borough
A record number of Wigan Borough’s schools and colleges have been hailed for helping young people be healthy and happy.
No fewer than 97 local primaries, high schools and sixth forms were recognised for their efforts to support the health and wellbeing of learners during this year’s Wigan Healthy Schools and Colleges celebration at The Edge last week.
The event included presentations from pupils and students about the steps being taken in schools and colleges to improve physical and mental health, and to tackle some of the issues facing the youth of today.
Local and national services were also on hand with information and advice around being more active, mental wellbeing, gaming and gambling harms, smoking and vaping, online safety and more.
Councillor Keith Cunliffe, Wigan Council’s deputy leader and cabinet portfolio holder for adult social care and health, said: “This year’s Wigan Healthy Schools and Colleges event was another fabulous celebration of all the brilliant work happening in our schools and in the wider community to support the health and wellbeing of our next generations.
“Just as every child and young person deserves a quality, well-rounded and enriching education, so too do they deserve to be supported with the many challenges of growing up in today’s world.
“That’s what our Healthy Schools and Colleges network is all about. By working together, sharing resources and best practice, and embedding healthy cultures in our schools, we can reduce some of the deep-rooted health inequalities in our communities and create a healthier, fairer future for the young people of our borough.”
This year’s celebration included a powerful showcase by Bedford High’s student wellbeing ambassadors on anti-bullying measures at the school, including signal-blocking phone pouches to tackle cyberbullying.
Meanwhile, pupils from Leigh Sacred Heart Primary spoke about how Daisy the school dog was helping children with their wellbeing.
There were further presentations from Christ Church Primary in Pennington about the impact of the borough’s Active Schools scheme, and from Fir Tree College who provide education and training for young people aged 16-25 with additional needs.
Dancers from Fred Longworth High and Leigh St Mary’s Primary showed off their moves on stage, and the council’s Be Well team and Boxing For Better CIC kept things lively with a ‘wake up and shake up’ and a fun boxing exercise.
The event also included addresses from the NHS School Nurse Service, the NSPCC, gaming and gambling harms charity YGAM, and Kooth who have launched a mental health and wellbeing app ‘Soluna’ that’s designed specifically for young people.
Some 30 partners and providers were there in all, including the Wigan Athletic Community Trust, NHS Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust and Locala Sexual Health.
Cllr Cunliffe added: “I’d like to thank all those who were able to join us at this year’s celebration, and particularly all the impressive young people who took to the stage to share insights into some of the issues they are facing, and the actions they and their schools and colleges are taking to make a positive difference.
“It’s truly inspiring to hear about all the brilliant ideas and initiatives happening in our borough to support our young people to lead healthy, happy lives.”
Posted on Wednesday 21st October 2026