What is the background to this initiative?

Following the introduction of health education as a cross-curricular theme, the Northern Ireland Curriculum Council (now CCEA) and the Health Promotion Agency produced guidelines for schools to enable them to support the new curriculum by developing as health promoting organizations. This was in keeping with the World Health Organizations's drive towards understanding that the environment in which learning takes place is as important as what is taught in the classroom, and that policies and actions to support health need to be included in school organizational plans.

From 1995- 1998 Northern Ireland was part of the European Network of Health Promoting Schools.
This initiative was led by HELG. Participating schools provided examples of good practice on a range of issues, such as school policy development, and evaluation models, which were disseminated to all schools. Criteria to define the benchmark for a health promoting school were tested and refined. Recommendations for further action to support schools were also highlighted.

In 1999 HELG worked together to produce guidance on self-assessment for schools in relation to these criteria, and this was provided to all schools. It offered a means of including health promotion plans within the school development plan.

The recent Curriculum Review has outlined the new proposals for personal, social and health education. There is a continuing need to support the health of both staff and pupils, and HELG has now received funding for a two year period to assist further the development of healthy schools.