ABSTRACT
When an exciting and seemingly new concept or theory emerges, which offers a solution to meeting the challenges ever present in the field of education and health, it is important to reflect on its origins. The knowledge that such reflection generates helps to build understandings of the way in which theory influences practice and, in turn, how practice can influence theory. This chapter traces the evolution of the health promoting school. In the first instance, it focuses on the historical development of school health education, which is not only the cornerstone of the health promoting school but has a longer history, thus offering insights into how progress is effected. Attention is then given to the theories of general health education and health promotion, the relationship between them and with that of the concept of the health promoting school. The role of the World Health Organization in supporting the advancement of theory and practice in health promotion and the health promoting school is highlighted. Finally, the fluctuating fortunes of school health is considered in the UK and contemporary issues examined with respect to national project work in the field.
