How do schools become health promoting?
The path to becoming a health promoting school involves achieving a set of key characteristics. These characteristics are set out in 
PDF file: Being Well – Doing Well (1033KB) and suggested by How Good Is Our School? HMIE (2007). Although listed separately they should be integrated in practice.
Leadership and Management
Leadership should take a holistic approach to health and be committed to improving the health and well-being of all children, young people, staff and the wider community.
Management should ensure responsive, integrated action in identifying and meeting the health needs of all pupils and staff. This action should have a positive impact on the well-being of the wider community.
Ethos
Health promoting schools have an inclusive ethos that is fair, takes care of individuals and promotes respect for self, others, the wider community and the environment.
The school ethos should promote a sense of responsibility in individuals for their own actions, health related behaviour and lifestyles while encouraging and empowering pupils and staff to do their best and build on their achievements.
Partnership working
Health promoting schools should have a strong commitment to partnership working and collective responsibility that actively involves and reflects the views of pupils, staff, parents, the wider community and key agencies.
Curriculum, learning and teaching
The curriculum and methods of learning and teaching should provide the appropriate challenge, participation and support for pupils and have a positive effect on their health and well-being.
Personal, Social and Health Education programmes
Approaches to personal and social development and health education should take into consideration pupils' health needs and of the range of factors that influence their values, attitudes, behaviour and health.
Environment, resources and facilities
Health promoting schools should have a safe, supportive, accessible and well-resourced environment for all pupils, staff and the wider community, including appropriate provision for all who have additional support needs.
