Services
Screening programmes
National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)
At the heart of supporting healthy, happy families is understanding how children grow and develop. The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) is a national health screening initiative which helps to track children’s physical development during their early school years.
Each year in England, school children in Reception and Year 6 have their height and weight checked at school as part of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). Height and weight measurements are used to better understand the growth and development of your child to ensure they are growing and developing for their age, sex and height.
The checks are carried out by our friendly and trained team of School and Community Health Facilitators, who are part of the School Nursing Service. Children are measured fully clothed, except for their coats and shoes, in a private space away from other pupils. The results will not be visible to your child.
These measurements are one of many ways we can understand important developmental milestones and ensure every child has the best start in life. The NCMP is designed to be sensitive and respectful, with the aim of supporting families and offering information and guidance where it’s helpful.
It is important to recognise that every child grows and develops at their own pace, and this programme allows healthcare professionals to identify any early signs which may indicate a need for additional support.
Participation in the NCMP helps to build a clearer picture of child health across the country, which in turn helps shape better services and healthier communities for everyone.
This short video explains more about why the NCMP is done and why it is important for your child to be a healthy weight. If you have any questions please contact your school nurse team.
Opting your child out of the programmes
If you are happy for your child to have their height and weight measured, you do not need to do anything.
If you do not want your child to take part in the NCMP, please let us know by completing the online form here.
I have received my child’s NCMP measurement results letter
We will not automatically inform you of your child’s results, only if your child is above or below their ideal healthy weight range for their age, sex and height.
As part of the NCMP, we may share your phone number with Maximus, who deliver Healthier Lifestyle Programmes for children, young people and families in Gloucestershire. If your phone number is shared, a member of the friendly team may be in touch to let you know the offers available in your local area.
To understand more about the data we collect, how we use and protect it, please read the privacy notices at the bottom of this page.
We understand that you might have mixed emotions and thoughts when receiving the results letter. To hear about what another family in Gloucestershire did when receiving their letter, please see the below link:
The Mitchell family’s journey towards a healthier lifestyle – Beezee by Maximus
Talking to your child about weight
We understand that weight is only one indication of a child’s overall health. It is not appropriate to define a person’s health by solely their weight, when good health should reflect a child’s complete physical, emotional and social well-being. If you are interested in learning more about what builds good health, please watch this video on the Social Determinants of Health
This link will take you to guidance around how to talk to your child about weight.
How your child’s data is collected and processed
Local authorities have a legal duty to collect the NCMP data. They do this by following guidance from Public Health England. Local authorities are responsible for making decisions on how the data is collected and for making sure it is protected. Local NCMP service providers are contracted to carry this out; in Gloucestershire this is through the school nursing team.
The team collecting the data enter it into the NCMP IT system, which is provided by NHS Digital. The data is also entered into a local child health information system. Your local authority is responsible for sending the data to NHS Digital. NHS Digital and Public Health England are jointly responsible for the data held at a national level. Your local authority is responsible for the data held locally.
More information on how personal data is collected, used and shared is available in the National Child Measurement Programme Gloucestershire Privacy Notice in the ‘Further Information’ section below.
This report uses local data from the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) to highlight that not all children have the same opportunities to grow, develop and maintain a healthy weight. If you are interested in reading this report, you can find it here.
Vision screening
Children in Reception classes in mainstream, local authority schools will have their vision screened. It is very important for a child’s eyesight to be screened when they are young so that any problems can be picked up and treated early on.
School and Community Health facilitators from your local School Nurse team will visit school and use a simple test to screen your child’s vision.
If your child passes the vision screen, we won’t contact you and you don’t need to do anything, however it is recommended that children have regular eye tests at least once every two years. These tests can be done at high street opticians and are free for all children under 16 years old (and those under 19 years old in full-time education). If your child does not pass the vision screen, we send a letter home with your child saying that we will refer them to a specialist who will contact you to book an appointment which may take up to 3 weeks.
We encourage you to share your child’s results with their class teacher.
Electively home-educated children
We also offer Electively Home Educated Children a Vision Screen at one of our Clinic Sessions – details to follow for the academic school year 2025/26.
To make an appointment, please email NCMP@ghc.nhs.uk or call 0300 421 8225.
Opting out of the vision screening
If you are happy for your child to have their vision screening you do not need to do anything.
If you do not want your child to have their vision screened, please let us know by completing the online form here.
Alternatively please phone 0300 421 8225 leaving a message with the details of your child’s name, date of birth, address and the school they currently attend.
Further information
- Further information about the National Child Measurement Programme can be found here.
- Information and fun ideas to help your child stay healthy can be found on the Change 4 Life website.
- A link to Beezee Families – Free Healthy Lifestyle Services | Gloucestershire
- To access recipes, articles and top tips to help you live healthy and happy, follow here: https://beezeebodies.com/blog/
- For lots of handy tips on how to keep your family healthy, follow: https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/
- Support and top tips for oral health: Children’s teeth – NHS ; How to keep your teeth clean – NHS
Privacy Notices
- The National Child Measurement Programme Department of Health and Social Care Privacy Notice can be downloaded by clicking here National Child Measurement Programme: privacy notice – GOV.UK
- The National Child Measurement Programme Gloucestershire Privacy Notice can be downloaded by clicking here
- Information about how NHS Digital and Public Health England collect and use information can be found at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/keeping-data-safe-and-benefitting-the-public/how-we-look-after-your-health-and-care-information and Personal Information Charter
- Information about the organisations NHS Digital has shared information with can be found here.
