Under the UK Labour Government (1997-2001) there have been clear signs of a willingness to revive the 'pastoral' curriculum in schools and to develop stronger links between the health and eductaion sectors. This book, based on empirical work undertaken in England and throughout Europe, explores such government policy and in particular the development of the health promoting school. The authors provide a detailed examination of the health promoting school movement in Europe, including application of concepts, policies, research and practice to the National Healthy Schools Standards in England. A whole school approach to the promotion of health, well-being and educational achievement is taken throughout the book. This approach includes analysis of such subjects and issues as: personal, social and health education; citizenship; environmental education; democracy; self-esteem; social capital and empowerment. The Health Promoting School: Policy, Research and Practice is a timely publication that will serve to inform the practice of teachers in schools and higher education, school management, student teachers and health professionals, health promotion and public health specialists.

For decades the health of children and adolescents has been a topic of interest in all parts of Europe. And there is quite a consensus that schools are the most appropriate setting to promote health. Childhood and adolescence constitute key stages for learning and adopting a health-related and active lifestyle which includes physical activity and sports. The book describes a new approach to enhance students' health awareness through experimental learning settings in P.E. class, cross-subject teaching, and project work. Teaching health topics requires a pedagogical and didactical framework based on the concept of health literacy and interdisciplinary research discussed by the authors. Teaching examples to improve students' health knowledge, health competencies and skills as well as health behaviour and habits at school implicates a new teaching structure presented in the book.

Developing a 'healthy school' has been a key aim for many schools across the globe, yet achieving successful implementation and sustaining the positive benefits has proven to be challenging. This text draws upon their wide range of international expertise and experience to demonstrate how guidelines can best be implemented.

This work is a critical reflection on the state of health promotion effectiveness in practice around the world. It examines the meaning of health promotion from regional perspectives, and explores regional strengths and weaknesses in demonstrating effectiveness. The book goes on to consider issues in public health such as tobacco, mental health, obesity, urbanization, war, and social determinants in order to assess the role of effectiveness, and to examine methodologies for demonstrating effectiveness. Finally, the book looks at questions over the effectiveness of health promotion – the debate about the relationship between evidence, impact, and outcomes.