Weighing and measuring programme
National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)
Weighing and measuring children in Reception and Year 6 across Oxfordshire – delivered by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT).
What is the NCMP?
The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) is a national public health programme. Each year, children in Reception (ages 4–5) and Year 6 (ages 10–11) in state‑funded schools are weighed and measured by trained staff. The information helps the NHS and local councils understand how children are growing and plan services that support healthy development.
Why it matters
- It provides a clear picture of children’s growth locally and nationally, so services can be planned and improved.
- It helps identify patterns and inequalities, so support can be targeted where it is most needed.
- It engages parents and carers with simple, supportive information about healthy growth.
Before the Visit
Around two weeks before your child’s measurement session, you will receive a letter from your child’s school on behalf of the School Screening Team within the 0–19 Children and Young People’s Service. This letter explains what the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) involves and how you can withdraw your child if you choose to. Letters are only sent to families with children in Reception (ages 4–5) and Year 6 (ages 10–11), as these are the year groups included in the NCMP each year.
What happens in school
- Before the visit – you will receive information from your child’s school about the programme and how to withdraw your child if you prefer.
- On the day – a trained member of our team measures your child’s height and weight in a private space. Children remain fully clothed, except for coat and shoes.
- Children are never made to take part if they do not want to. Our team aims to make the process quick, kind and reassuring.
Your child’s result and what it means
Your child’s result is shared directly with you (not with other pupils or school staff). In Oxfordshire we use the School Screener Parent Portal so you can view the result securely online and see any recommended next steps. If your child’s result suggests they may benefit from extra support, we will signpost you to free, family‑friendly services.
How data is used and protected
Local authorities have a legal duty to collect NCMP data and submit it securely to NHS England. Data is used to produce official national statistics and to plan services; when reported publicly, no individual child can be identified. Parents and carers have rights over their child’s information, including how it is used and how to opt out of the measurements.
Support in Oxfordshire
NCMP in Oxfordshire is delivered by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council. With your consent, families who would like help can be connected to trusted, council‑commissioned healthy lifestyle services, BeeZee Families which is part of the Maximus UK Health Division.
Opting out
If you are happy for your child to be measured, you do not need to do anything. If you prefer to withdraw your child, follow the instructions in the pre‑measurement information from school. Children will not be made to take part if they do not want to on the day.
Questions or accessibility support
If you need this information in another language, large print, easy read or audio, please contact the School Screening Team: schoolscreeningteam@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk.
Results via the School Screener Portal
If your child is due to have or has had an NCMP visit, to access their result securely, please create an account on the School Screener Parent Portal:
School Screener Parent Portal:
School Screener Portal
Once you have created your account and completed the short form for your child, you will be able to view their NCMP results letter. Please allow up to one week after measurement for the letter to appear. If you set up your account before the screening takes place, you will receive an email notification as soon as the result is ready to view.
A short video is available within the portal to guide you through creating your account and accessing your child’s results.
References
- NHS England – National Child Measurement Programme: https://digital.nhs.uk/services/national-child-measurement-programme
- GOV.UK – National Child Measurement Programme: operational guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-child-measurement-programme-operational-guidance
- GOV.UK – National Child Measurement Programme: information for schools: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-child-measurement-programme-information-for-schools
- NHS – National Child Measurement Programme (parent information): https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/childrens-weight/national-child-measurement-programme/
- NHS England – NCMP IT system: parental feedback process: https://digital.nhs.uk/services/national-child-measurement-programme/it-system/generating-feedback-letters/the-parental-feedback-process
- NHS England – NCMP GDPR information: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/keeping-data-safe-and-benefitting-the-public/gdpr/gdpr-register/national-child-measurement-programme-ncmp-gdpr-information
- Oxfordshire County Council – National Child Measurement Programme (local information): https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/social-and-health-care/public-health-and-wellbeing/child-measurement
Further advice
If you have any more questions or need further details, please contact the school health nurse team via the SPA 01865 903 800 or email cyp0-19@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk