A DENBIGH primary school is celebrating after achieving a top health and wellbeing award.

Ysgol y Parc, Denbigh has received the National Quality Award (NQA), the highest award a school can obtain through the Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes.

The health programme, which is run by the NHS trust Public Health Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government, sets seven health criteria for schools to improve: food and fitness, hygiene, the environment, safety, personal development and relationships, substance use and misuse and mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

Schools that achieve the NQA implement wellbeing initiatives that fulfil the criteria to the highest standard.

Louisa Roberts, headteacher of Ysgol y Parc said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have gained the National Quality Award. It is testimony to the hard work and dedication of the staff, governors, pupils and parents in ensuring that health and wellbeing are given the importance that they deserve within our school.

"This award is many years in the making and is a really prestigious achievement for us at Ysgol y Parc.”

Ysgol y Parc joined the programme in 2002 and it is said to have led to positive lifestyle changes in the school community.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: "The school has fostered excellent links within the community it serves. Parents and governors are enthusiastic, and health and wellbeing work is embedded at the school. Over the past decade there has been a positive change in behaviours and lifestyles of the school community.

"This is strong testimony to the overall value of the Healthy Schools Scheme and the way in which members of the wider community have engaged with it."

For more information on the Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes, visit