Strengthening the health and wellbeing of children and young people

Health promotion in schools is not just about encouraging children and young people to eat well and to exercise; it encompasses a much broader holistic approach. This approach is called the 'whole school approach', which includes promoting the physical, social, spiritual, mental and emotional wellbeing of all pupils and staff.

Schools in Scotland are working hard to have health promotion as an important aspect of their business.

The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 commenced in January this year and places a duty on local authorities to ensure that all of their schools are health promoting environments.