To explore the current development of the Healthy Schools movement in England, and to suggest some ways forward.
The editorial suggests that the Healthy Schools movement is now well established in England, and used by the UK government as the vehicle to transmit health‐related initiatives, e.g. the drive against obesity. It is intended to be in all schools by 2009.
It is important that this movement does not turn into a “one size fits all/checklist” approach, but that the whole school approach is maintained, which gives schools the ability to tailor their project to their own circumstances and achieve widespread ownership. It is also important that the health that is promoted is not just physical, but includes emotional, social and community health. In time it may make radical changes to the nature and purpose of schooling, especially if it joins with the extended school movement to bring about community change.
Useful reminders to those developing healthy school/health‐promoting school approaches to bear in mind the key principles of taking a whole school perspective, ensuring ownership and responsiveness to particular needs, looking at mental and social as well as physical health, and including the role of the school in its community.
Learning some key principles from a country which has gone a long way to develop its healthy school approach.
