The Lime Tree School endeavour: healthy body, brain and heart

Imagine what fun pupils would have at a school where the head dresses up as Dennis the Menace for World Book Day? And equally beneficial to the school, where parents can achieve a sustainable win-win by donating unwanted clothing, which is then sold to recyclers to boost school funds? These are the values that sustain Lime Tree Primary, Kingston's newest school which opened its doors in September 2012. Central to the school's ethos is the unique partnership between health and education that has transformed this fledgling primary school into a real community asset. The problem was a real one facing many local authorities today: a rising birth rate and too few classroom places; a new build seemed the obvious solution - and a real opportunity. Local children, their families, residents and professionals were interviewed and their ideas translated into proposals for the new school. A magical learning environment for local youngsters was created, embodied by the school motto, which recognises that a healthy body sustains better learning, and better learning leads to enhanced health benefits. The school lives and breathes 'Healthy Body, Brain and Heart' and transfers this into all its daily activities. And what of the future? There is no doubt that this type of initiative could be adopted in other parts of the new NHS. Wouldn't it be marvellous if other examples of like collaboration could help us jointly tackle the challenges of modern-day living?