Whole school approach
The effectiveness and sustainability of school health interventions are dependant on the extent to which health promotion interventions are linked to the primary business of schools in developing the educational skills and knowledge base of young people.
IUHPE, 1999
A whole school approach is core to health promotion within a school. It requires full integration of health promotion into the life and functions of the school by working through the policies, management structures and curriculum planning processes that exist.
It also involves connecting with the wider life of young people, their families and communities – it is essential that there is real partnership with the whole school population and its wider community. The success of a whole school approach depends very much on effective partnership working and a democratic participatory ethos. Strong links with all aspects of a child's life – family, community and peers – are vital.
Physical activity that makes an impact
For physical activity to have real impact on children and young people's health, it is essential that it is embedded into the whole school approach of a health promoting school.
Indeed the potential of every aspect of the school to promote physical activity should be explored.
Cale and Harris, 2005
Active Schools embody this whole school approach by embedding physical activity into all areas of school life, including:
- policy
- school development planning
- staff development
- ethos
- curriculum, both formal and informal
- the environment
- community links.
What does this mean for families?
Families can support the whole school approach by getting involved in school life. This can be done though volunteering for after-school activities or being on the parent–teacher association.
Being aware of all the different elements that make up a school and its community will help you to understand how your child's physical activity levels can be increased in all sorts of ways.
Working with and supporting staff to promote physical activity in all its forms will help create a positive and enthusiastic attitude to physical activity across the whole school community.
Useful resources
Cale, L, and Harris, J. (Eds.), Exercise and Young People: issues, implications and initiatives, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005
International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) Project Advisory Group, 'The Evidence of Health Promotion Effectiveness', Luxembourg: European Commission, 1999
