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Free hygiene audits to be carried out nationwide in schools

Albany Healthy Schools Programme Launches Today - Albany MAX takes to the road to bring to life hygiene messages

School hygiene has never been more important with viruses such as E. coli, norovirus and swine flu all posing a serious threat to a school’s health every day. Thousands of school days are lost every year through avoidable illness. Can schools be doing more to avoid unwanted infections? Now they can with the help of Albany Healthy Schools. Its Programme has been created specifically for the education sector and is designed to help schools improve their hygiene standards and reduce social, economic and environmental impacts.

Mike Burton, Founder of the Albany Healthy Schools Programme and Managing Director of Albany Hygiene Facilities explains; “The government’s National Healthy Schools Programme currently allows 4 million pupils to enjoy the benefits of attending a ‘Healthy School’ but, unfortunately, this programme does not sufficiently cover the hygiene of the building environment which the pupils, staff and teachers inhabit. Also, it does not encompass the critical area of infection control within the school. Our programme aims to work with and support the schools needs.”

The Albany Healthy Schools Programme will run with several waves of activity, starting this week with the announcement of free hygiene audits helping to create a nationwide picture of schools’ hygiene needs. Initially the programme will be launched to independent schools with a view to state sector expansion and culminate in the creation of a recognised and credible hygiene accreditation scheme with professional partners.

Dr. Ronald. R Cutler, Queen Mary, University of London comments; “Starting hygiene education from a young age is important to creating a safer school environment. Learning appropriate hygiene practices, such as cleaning hands, can be a powerful way of reducing the risk of cross infection and helping combat viruses. I welcome a dedicated initiative for the education sector that will support their specific needs and even make hygiene education an enjoyable experience.”

MAXimising Hygiene Education to Children

Hygiene education is central to achieving good hygiene standards in schools by helping children and young people learn correct hand hygiene practices which will reduce the risk of cross infection and help combat viruses such as swine flu and norovirus. To bring to life the messages in an exciting and engaging way, an animated character called Albany Max* will take centre stage by making personal appearances at preparatory schools across the UK in his ‘Healthy Hands’ van. A tailored roadshow will present a focused and exciting activity for the school, not only providing an engaging vehicle to educate the pupils and teaching staff but sending out a message to parents and the community that the school takes hygiene standards seriously.

Bespoke Offering

Independent schools will receive a free hygiene audit which appraises their needs and priorities, including the hygiene educational needs for pupils, teachers and cleaners.

Following the audit, an Albany hygiene specialist will present the results, recommendations and reductions to schools and provide them with independent advice on the latest hygiene best practice, and affordable hygiene programmes to help improve the health of schools. The Albany Healthy Schools proposal documents will be tailored for each school’s specific needs and will detail cost savings opportunities as well as recommending the most environmentally sustainable products and solutions.

Once schools commit to an Albany Max hand hygiene programme,  School Resource Packs, which meet curriculum requirements, will be issued and these contain; stickers, posters, assembly plan, lesson plans, incentive reward certificates, activity sheets, hand inspector cards & badges - all brought to life featuring Albany MAX.

*Since 2006, more than 300,000 primary children between the ages of 4 and 11 have been taught the importance of correct hand washing and drying by Max, via a schools education programme called ‘Hands up for Max’.