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Preface In October 1998 Scottish CCC - now Learning and Teaching Scotland - began an extensive consultation exercise following a Ministerial request to review the 1993 Guidelines for Environmental Studies 5-14. Primary and secondary schools, teacher education institutions, local authorities, professional associations and relevant interest groups were all given the opportunity to participate both in a preliminary consultation and in the later consultation on the draft revised guidelines. The aim of the review was to help teachers implement the guidelines by making them clearer and more manageable and to enhance pupil attainment. It was therefore decided to remove the ICT and health education components from environmental studies and to issue separate guidelines for these two important aspects of the 5-14 curriculum. The health education guidelines are based on the belief that good health is a fundamental right for every person. [Health is] the extent to which an individual or group is able, on the one hand, to realise aspirations and satisfy needs and, on the other hand, to change or cope with the environment. Health is, therefore, seen as a resource for everyday life, not an object of living; it is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities. World Health Organisation (WHO) This positive dynamic approach to health provides a foundation for the development of health promotion and health education. Health promotion is generally considered to be any action taken that will protect and improve the health of individuals and communities. The Government recognises the importance of good health for all and emphasises a commitment to reducing inequalities and improving health through its recent White Paper on health.1 A number of health priorities for Scotland have been identified. The concept of the health-promoting school and the 5-14 health education curriculum are important elements of the overall strategy for addressing these health priorities. These 5-14 health education guidelines provide a clear framework within which individual schools and teachers can develop programmes responding to the health education needs of young people. They will enable teachers to plan, teach and assess health education in a coherent way. It is essential to establish what it is young people know and understand, and to base health education programmes on these needs. The reality of young people living in today's society must be a fundamental part of planning these programmes. The guidelines are firmly based on the health education component of the Environmental Studies 5-14 National Guidelines,2 issued in March 1993. However, the revised structure of strands and attainment targets is designed to be simpler and more manageable than that used in the 1993 guidelines. These guidelines are commended to all concerned with the education of pupils aged 5-14.   Mike Baughan Chief Executive, Learning and Teaching Scotland

1 The Scottish Office Department of Health Towards a Healthier Scotland: A White Paper on Health (Cm 4269), Edinburgh: The Stationery Office, 1999 2 Scottish Office Education Department Environmental Studies 5-14 National Guidelines, SOED, 1993 [RETURN TO 5-14 ONLINE] [BACK] [INDEX] [NEXT] © The 5-14 Curriculum (Scotland) Guidelines were produced by the Scottish Executive and Learning and Teaching Scotland and are reproduced with permission from the Queen's Printer for Scotland.