ABSTRACT
The chapter reviews health education developments in Scotland with particular reference to the work of the Scottish Health Education Group (SHEG) and the school system. The scope of the work of the SHEG is briefly introduced and the nature of training opportunities in health education are explored.
In Scotland the use of mass media has been developed and refined using market research techniques and the methods used to integrate mass media communications with educational approaches in schools are briefly reviewed.
The development of the health education curriculum in Scottish schools is explained, particularly the emphasis in continuity between primary and secondary schools and the need to develop the model of the health promoting school with its emphasis on the total life of the school and greater links with parents. The need to develop a flexible curriculum for pupils in the 14 to 16 age range has resulted in a series of short courses entitled Health Studies being developed within the new standard grade programme in Scotland. These are viewed as complementing the subject-based curriculum and the social education curriculum of the school. The broad aims and content areas of the courses are briefly reviewed.
Specific teaching and learning resources to support health education have been produced in Scotland and a new kit including a teacher’s guide and computer software has been produced in 1988 on the subject of health related physical fitness. The research basis and nature of this project are described.
