A Government programme promoting health in schools has seen reading levels improve almost 30 per cent and attendance jump 60 per cent.
An independent report has analysed the Ministry of Health's Health Promoting Schools programme and found it has had a positive impact on students in schools where it has been implemented.
The report found that, compared with schools not signed up to the programme, average student reading performance was 29 per cent higher. There was also a 42 per cent drop in student stand-downs and a 60 per cent increase in attendance rates.
The programme encouraged schools to identify the health and wellbeing needs of their students and develop ways of meeting those needs.
Schools identified health issues such as healthy eating, dental hygiene and family engagement.