The next training day for Oakbank School staff will involve taking teachers’ blood pressure and measuring their body mass index.

Steve Bell, healthy schools manager at Oakbank, said he thought the Oakworth Road school was the first in the country to give staff health checks.

The men’s health team and staff from the diabetes team in Bradford will do separate male and female tests to see if teachers are healthy and advise them on ways to improve their lifestyles.

Mr Bell said: “The checks are voluntary but 30 staff have already signed up.

“I thought it would be a good idea with the levels of obesity rising across the country and staff absenteeism increasing in the profession to do something positive in the workplace.

“If pupils see staff taking on board health concerns then they will be inspired to do so as well.” The health checks will take place next Thursday.