Perth Grammar School is leading the way in health promotion as the first Tayside school to sign up to Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco Free Generation.
The initiative has captured the imagination of pupils who shared the work they have been doing at an assembly in the school.
The school, which has more than 1,000 pupils, have a pupil run working group who recognise the need to go beyond simply enforcing a no smoking rule in the school to provide education on tobacco and health and encourage their peers to be good role models for each other.
“Perth Grammar School is committed to ensuring all our pupils make the healthiest choices possible,” said head teacher Fiona Robertson. “Education is the key and we will strive to make sure all pupils get the message loud and clear that Perth Grammar School is a tobacco free zone and that smoking is not a healthy life choice.
“We will do our best to promote this message across our school and the wider community and will proudly strive to make Scotland a Tobacco Free Nation by 2034.”
As part of their efforts the school is taking part in the NHS peer educator programme.
Through this 18% of their S1 and S2 pupils have been trained in educating their peers, and the public in general, to the dangers of smoking.
“They have learned how to explain these dangers and how to have successful conversations with others which encourage them to give up smoking or not start smoking,” said guidance teacher Gillian Shenton who has been organising the school’s efforts.
“We are proud to be the first school in Tayside to sign the charter.
“We put a lot of emphasis on health, well-being and life choices.”
The pupil group hope to improve smoking education at school and make it relevant by including new topics such as e-cigarettes and extend working in partnership with staff, pupils, parents and other agencies.
