ABSTRACT
Two survey methods are described, namely: Just a Tick, a method for discovering priorities for a school programme according to the attitudes of, for example, parents teachers, children, health care professionals and governors, and The General Health Related Behaviour Survey, a method for discovering priorities for the school curriculum according to the reported levels of behaviours by the pupils/students, over a wide range of activities.
The use of either method raises awareness of health education in the school community and enhances its status. The attitudinal surveys (HEA Schools Health Education Unit, 1985) raise the level of excitement and are ideally suited to provide a vigorous agenda for debate amongst staff, parents, children, governors and any combination between these groups. The behaviour surveys (HEA Schools Health Education Unit, 1987) give far more precise data than the attitudinal ones and serve to provide reliable data on which to base decisions on timing of courses in health and social education and to provide relevant content; they also provide guidance in the selection of appropriate methods to be adopted for the courses and lessons taught.
The attitudinal surveys are available for use in schools of all types and all ages of children. Surveys have been carried out in secondary schools and their feeder primary schools which enable the planning of a continuous programme from age five to age 16 or beyond. The behavioural surveys have been developed for use with children/students between the ages of 11 to 19 years of age. A version for use with younger age groups is being developed.
A service to support the use of the survey methods by schools is currently available from Exeter University. Hundreds of schools have used either one or both of the methods and significant data banks have accumulated to support wider research. The Health Education Authority (HEA) have provided major funding to support the Health Related Behaviour Survey Service to Schools from 1983 until the present.
