PRINCIPLES OF HPS
A health promoting school:
THE LINK BETWEEN EDUCATION AND HEALTH
There is increasing recognition that health and educational outcomes are inextricably linked. Evidence shows that health improves with increasing levels of educational achievement, there is a strong health, development and wellbeing of children and young people are directly influenced by the school, community and family in which they live. Better health supports better learning and success in school, associated with:
SCHOOLS AS A SETTING
In health promotion there has been a shift away from activities that target individual behaviours, to a settings approach. Schools settings that are ideal for health promotion activities are made up of:
School settings offer opportunities for:
A health promoting school:
- Promotes the health and well-being of students
- Enhances the learning outcomes of students
- Upholds social justice and equity concepts
- Provides a safe and supportive environment
- Involves student participation and empowerment
- Links health and education issues and systems
- Addresses the health and well-being issues of all school staff
- Collaborates with parents and the local community
- Integrates health into the school’s ongoing activities, curriculum and assessment standards
- Sets realistic goals built on accurate data and sound scientific evidence
- Seeks continuous improvement through ongoing monitoring and evaluation
THE LINK BETWEEN EDUCATION AND HEALTH
There is increasing recognition that health and educational outcomes are inextricably linked. Evidence shows that health improves with increasing levels of educational achievement, there is a strong health, development and wellbeing of children and young people are directly influenced by the school, community and family in which they live. Better health supports better learning and success in school, associated with:
- poor employment prospects
- low income
- welfare dependency
- drug abuse and crime
SCHOOLS AS A SETTING
In health promotion there has been a shift away from activities that target individual behaviours, to a settings approach. Schools settings that are ideal for health promotion activities are made up of:
- the physical surroundings, such as buildings, facilities, playgrounds and other areas
- management ethos, policies and procedures
- staff and individuals associated with the school
School settings offer opportunities for:
- reaching all children regardless of their socio-economic status or location
- reducing inequities in health
- influencing attitudes and behaviours at critical developmental stages
- building on existing school health promotion efforts
- working with parents, staff and other members of the school community as well as students
- introducing cost-effective health promotion interventions
- making health gains in specific areas such as nutrition, safety, safer sex, reduction in drugs, alcohol and tobacco use and bullying.