Summer 2006

Photographs of a primary-aged boy and a secondary-aged boy writing in class

There was a varied programme of presentations and discussions at the summer meeting of the National Health Promoting Schools Network, which was held at Jury's Inn, Glasgow, in June. Scottish Health Promoting Schools Unit Director, Wendy Halliday, opened the day with an update on the unit's work and other national health promoting schools developments.

Accreditation of local health promoting schools schemes and processes was the focus for the first presentation, by Colin Ferguson, Chairman of the National Endorsement Team (NET). He spoke about his experience of the recent first round of submissions to the NET, providing a valuable insight into the process, including lessons learned. Along with other members of the NET who were in attendance, Colin also answered questions from network members.

A Curriculum for Excellence was the next topic, presented by May Sweeney, National Coordinator for the programme, based at Learning and Teaching Scotland. May's presentation was very well received and the session was extended to allow for the many questions which followed.

She encouraged those present to consider their work in the context of A Curriculum for Excellence and to ask the question 'how does this fit with the four capacities?' when planning future development. The four capacities outlined in A Curriculum for Excellence are to enable all young people to be successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

Being Heroes

A reflection on a series of events, 'Being Heroes', hosted by the Scottish Health Promoting Schools Unit in partnership with NHS Health Scotland during April, was given by Jo Kopela, National Development Officer, Improving Mental and Emotional Health, during the afternoon. The seminars focused on leadership and management in relation to mental health and emotional well-being in schools.

Jo gave a summary of the types of conversations which had taken place and indicated the main themes that had emerged, which were in relation to changing schools' culture and practice, staff health and well-being and promoting resilience among children and young people.

Feedback from the events also stressed how much participants enjoyed and benefited from experiencing the Open Space methodology. Jo spoke about plans to build and extend the work started at the events, including a proposed special meeting for network members and other interested parties on the links between mental health and physical activity.

The remainder of the afternoon allowed network members to sign up for conversations on an area of particular interest to them, which included:

consultation of the proposed Schools Nutrition and Health Promotion Bill
national accreditation – led by Colin Ferguson
A Curriculum for Excellence.

The day concluded with a farewell to Lindsay Graham, National Development Officer, Eating for Health, who has moved on from SHPSU to take up post as Delivery Manager with the School Food Trust. Wendy Halliday and Colin Ferguson recounted tales of Lindsay's time with the unit and previously with Highland Council and offered warm wishes and thanks for all her work to champion health promoting schools in Scotland. Lindsay thanked everyone for their help and support during her time working in health promoting schools.