Background
This section provides a snapshot to the background of the health promoting schools movement in Scotland.
In 1986, the World Health Organization (WHO), reflecting on the Ottawa Charter, generated a framework illustrating the concept of health promoting schools.
The framework was based on a broad definition of health; the mental, physical and social dimensions of health and well-being. There was recognition that in order to maximise improvement in health and education for children and young people it would be necessary to consider them in the context of their home and community environment. In doing so parent, family and community links would be fostered.
The model developed by WHO focused on three priority areas: the formal curriculum, the informal curriculum and links with the wider community.
Scotland
In Scotland, the WHO framework was used as a basis for the development of a variety of local models. In 1990, the Scottish Health Education Group and the Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum (now Learning and Teaching Scotland) produced 'Promoting Good Health - proposals for action in schools'.
Within this policy statement key principles of health promoting schools were established. This document laid the foundation for policy development, curriculum development and research and evaluation in relation to health promoting schools.
Many schools, councils and health boards were beginning to generate their own vision of health promoting schools and exploring positive ways of extending the formal Health Education programme across many areas of the school.
Scotland joined the European Network of Health Promoting Schools as part of the UK in 1993.
In 1994, HM Inspectorate of Education produced a report titled 'Health Education and Promotion: A Study of Good Practice in a Sample of Primary and Secondary Schools'. This document offered detailed illustrations of the effective health promotion work already underway in some of Scotland's schools.
European principles
During an International Conference in 1996, the European Network of Health Promoting Schools developed a resolution. The underlying principles and priorities of health promoting schools were agreed as follows:
- democracy
- equity
- empowerment
- action competence
- school environment
- curriculum
- teacher training
- measuring success collaboration
- communities
- sustainability.
Each member country was invited to adapt these principles to meet local requirements.
Scottish models
Throughout this period health promoting schools were developing in many areas of Scotland. Some local authorities and health boards were supporting schools by developing local criteria. Generally the focus was on the following areas:
- partnership working
- creating a positive ethos
- improving environments
- working closely with families and parents
- ensuring effective coordination
- improving and extending the curriculum
- considering staff health and well-being.
Policy
Powerful political backing for health promoting schools arrived between 1998 and 2000 when a number of national documents and policies were released:
- New Community Schools: The Prospectus (Scottish Office, 1998)
- Towards a Healthier Scotland - A White Paper on Health (Scottish Office, 1999)
- A Route to Health Promotion: Self evaluation using quality indicators (HMIE, 1999)
- Health Promotion: Issues for Councils and Schools (HMIE, 1999)
- Health Education 5-14 National Guidelines (Learning and Teaching Scotland, 2000)
- Guide for Teachers and Managers: Health Education 5-14 (Learning and Teaching Scotland, 2000)
- Our National Health - A Plan for action a plan for change (Scottish Executive, 2000)
These placed health promoting schools firmly in the context of reducing health inequalities, promoting social inclusion and raising educational standards.
In 2002, the Scottish Executive set the target that all schools in Scotland are to be health promoting schools by 2007. The same year the Scottish Health Promoting Schools Unit was established by the Scottish Executive in partnership with the Health Education Board for Scotland (now NHS Health Scotland), Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
