The health promoting school: progress and future challenges in Welsh secondary schools

Data were obtained from a random sample of 87 secondary schools in Wales (UK) about the organization and provision of health education teaching, the implementation of health related policies, and the involvement of outside agencies and professionals in the planning and delivery of health education programmes. The results suggest that schools have made progress in curriculum development. However, if the concept of the health promoting school is to be translated into practice, greater attention will need to be given us the development of broadly based policies for health covering both pupils and staff and the better integration of school programmes with community resources. Greater understanding of the health promoting school concept by teaching staff and the development of examples of good practice in embedding health education into national curriculum subjects, are also advocated.