The health promoting status of secondary schools in Wales pre‐ and post‐local government reorganisation: perspectives of health education co‐ordinators

Abstract

This study assesses the influence of local government reorganisation on health education provision and support in Welsh secondary schools. The study was conducted in two stages, shortly before, and 31 months after, a local government reorganisation. Respondents for the study were a sample of health education co‐ordinators from 23 secondary schools that represented seven of the eight local education authorities prior to the local government reorganisation in April 1996. Findings revealed several obstacles to schools becoming more health promoting. Lack of time, demands of the National Curriculum, low profile and status given to Personal and Social Education programmes, lack of expertise amongst staff, and the pressure exerted by league tables, were commonly reported by co‐ordinators. The importance of in‐service training for all staff and the need for stronger community and parental links was only raised by a few. The research also suggests that schools are becoming more reliant on health promotion units as opposed to the advisory support in their locality.