ABSTRACT
In 1978, the North Western Health Board set up a health promotion programme in their schools to promote the health of young people in the region. The project team responsible decided to adopt a ‘life skills’ approach and key skills were identified. In 1981, the programme was piloted in 11 of the 50 second level schools in the region. Over the following five years the programme was introduced into all the schools. Since 1986, the project has been in a ‘maintenance’ phase supporting schools and promoting fresh developments. Typically, in the first three years of the programme, the emphasis is on health topics. In the final two years, the approach is more skills-based. Active learning strategies predominate in the programme and the in-service teacher training has reflected this. Parental involvement has been a feature of school developments. Evaluations of the programme have been positive although further work is needed to build on the programme’s achievements.
