Better schools through health: learning from practice

Portugal, an innovation at school level in Spain, a discussion of how regional ornational networks of health promoting schools were developed in Wales, or Estonia.Each story describes a particular journey, or experience, which is embedded in sociocultural,economic, historical and political circumstances. Each story highlightsbarriers to progress as well as those factors which facilitated progress. Importantlythey all share the lessons learned in the spirit of ‚learning practice‘. It is our hope thatdocumenting these lessons learned means others can learn from these experiencestoo.Thus, our aim with the publication; ‚Better schools through health: learning frompractice‘, is to document real-life‘ experience; stories about obstacles and difficultiesas well as success stories. We hope this facilitates learning, provides support andabove all inspires those who work in the area of school health promotion.Schools for Health in EuropeThe SHE network has a strong foundation in developing and sustaining healthpromoting schools through its precursor - the European Network of Health PromotingSchools (ENHPS) which was founded in 1992 by WHO Euro, the Council of Europe andthe European Union. Currently, there are 43 SHE member countries in the Europeanregion.The SHE network uses a positive concept of health and well-being and acknowledgesthe UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Council of Europe’s EuropeanConvention on the Exercise of Children’s Rights.The SHE approach to school health promotion is based on five core values andpillars.SHE core valuesEquityHealth promoting schools ensure equal access for all to the full rangeof educational and health opportunities. This in the long term makes asignificant impact in reducing inequalities in health and in improving thequality and availability of life-long learning.SustainabilityHealth promoting schools acknowledge that health, education anddevelopment are closely linked. Schools act as centres of academic learning.They support and develop a responsible and positive view of pupils futurerole in society.Health promoting schools develop best when efforts and achievementsare implemented in a systematic way for a prolonged period, for at least5-7 years. Outcomes (both in health and education) mostly occur in themedium or long term.8