National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)
All Schools / All Phases
Following the recent reopening of schools, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care via Public Health England (PHE) requests that local authorities use the remainder of the academic year to collect a representative sample of data. The sample size will be 10% of children in the local area, comprising data from a selection of schools. This will enable a national estimate of children’s weight status (including obesity prevalence) for 2020/21 and contribute towards assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s physical health.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting school closures, children’s measurements in the NCMP were stopped in March 2020. It is important that the NCMP recommences in 2021 because it will provide population level data to help understand how COVID-19 has impacted child obesity prevalence and inequalities. It will also enable local authorities to engage with parents and families who may need support to achieve and maintain a healthier weight by providing advice and information about services and programmes in their area. Further information for schools can be found here.
Enfield Council and the School Nursing Team will be in contact with selected schools in the coming weeks to discuss further.
Cheryl Headon
Head of Schools Traded Services