Fewer than a third of schools in Oxfordshire have achieved the Government's healthy schools award. Figures published by the Department for Education and Skills show 28 per cent of schools in the county have demonstrated they provide enough healthy food, physical exercise, drugs and sex education and 'emotional well-being'.

Ministers want half of all schools in the country to become so-called 'healthy schools' by the end of this year and every school to become part of the programme by 2009.

Oxfordshire County Council said 62 per cent of schools were registered with the scheme and it expected half of all schools to achieve healthy schools status by the end of this year.

The healthy schools scheme was launched in 2004, and is part of a Government drive to reduce health 'inequalities', promote social inclusion and raise educational standards.

To gain healthy school status, a school must achieve minimum standards in four criteria healthy eating and drinking, comprehensive personal, social and health education, physical activity and emotional health and well-being.

Claire Robinson, headteacher of St Thomas More School, Kidlington, which has achieved the award, said it had helped focus the school's ongoing efforts to improve health across the board.

She said: "It's not just about healthy eating and exercise, it's about the personal and social development of the children. That's embedded in the school. The award gives you something to work towards."

Ambrosden School has also reached the healthy schools standard.