Management Information Sheet
Measuring height and weight of children in reception year and Year 6
As was set out in the White Paper, The Importance of Teaching, good schools play a vital role as promoters of health and wellbeing in the local community, understanding well the connections between pupils' health and their educational achievements.As a result of the changes to the NHS and public health system brought about through the Health and Social Care Act 2013, the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) is now a statutory public health function of local authorities. Your support for pupil wellbeing by participating in the NCMP last year is greatly appreciated. We would like to ask for your continued support for the programme, which is an important part of work in our local area to promote healthy weight in childhood. The programme involves the annual height and weight measurement of all children in reception year and Year 6 in schools.More than 99% of state-maintained primary and middle schools across England now take part in the programme. This means that robust data are collected, providing valuable information about the trends in underweight, healthy weight, overweight and very overweight in children in our area, which we will use to help plan and deliver services. The programme can help us engage with families about healthy lifestyles through sharing children's results with their parents and carers and offering follow-up advice and support where appropriate.A report on last year's results for England is available at www.hscic.gov.uk/ncmp. If you have been involved in the NCMP in previous years, you will be aware of what is involved. If you are new to the programme, you might like to read the guidance for schools available at www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/263457/NCMP_schools_guidance__FINAL___2_.pdf. In summary, the programme is led by local authorities, with support from schools by:
- identifying any children who are unable to participate because of disability, medical condition or other reason
- sending letters to parents and carers to inform them about the NCMP and the opt out process - the organisation delivering the NCMP in your area will provide the letter to be given to pupils to go to their parents/carers
- collating names of any children who have been withdrawn from the programme by their parents
- providing class lists of relevant year groups
- identifying a room or area where measurements can be taken privately; and
- arranging for staff to help to bring children to and from the measurement area.