Health education in schools: a survey of policy and implementation

Abstract

THE National Foundation for Educational Research was commissioned by the Health Education Authority to carry out a survey of health education policies in English schools. Questionnaires were sent to a sample of over 800 schools and interviews were carried out in 110. Between one half and two thirds of the surveyed schools had written health education policies, while others were developing or updating them. Two thirds of the schools had identified a teacher responsible for coordinating health education. Many schools had broadened their health education provision beyond the curriculum, recognising the value of a whole school policy. Major areas of concern were the lack of resources for in-service training and the risk that health education may be increasingly marginalised, mainly because of the demands associated with the implementation of the National Curriculum.