Schools4Health Infographic: Implementing the HPS approach through evidence, policy and practice

How to grow a Health Promoting School? Implementing the HPS approach through evidence, policy and practice A Health Promoting School is more than just a place where students learn about health. It’s a whole-school approach to creating a healthy environment for living, learning, and working. Defined by the WHO as a school that constantly strengthens its capacity as a healthy setting, this model is built on six key pillars. The six principles of a HPS approach

Creating health-promoting environments is a shared responsibility. Policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and the wider communities must work together with staff and students to support health and wellbeing at school. This can be achieved through collaboration between evidence, policy, and practice to support, connect, and drive change toward Health Promoting Schools.

Community links

School social environment

School physical environment

Healthy school polices Individual health skills and action competencies

Health Services

Evidence

Evaluating health-promoting interventions in school settings and calculating the return on investment can help quantify the benefits of HPS approaches.

Policy

Clearer mandatory requirements, frameworks, and resources can help schools integrate health into their curricula and policies. This requires a commitment from policymakers at all levels of government.

Building capacities and raising awareness among stakeholders about the benefits of HPS approaches and how to implement them is essential.

Practice

Building communities of practice comprising policymakers, students, parents, health and education professionals, and the wider community can help generate knowledge exchange and commitment. Establishing coordinating bodies at sub-national or national level can help relieve the burden on teachers and facilitate the implementation of health promotion activities.

Health Promoting Schools thrive on strong collaboration. When different stakeholders work together, schools can reduce inequities, support wellbeing, and boost academic success for all.

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Schools4Health Infographic: Implementing the HPS approach through evidence, policy and practice

Published on Dec 15, 2025

International Sport and Culture Association

This infographic shows how the Health Promoting School (HPS) approach can be effectively implemented when evidence, policy, and practice work together. Moving beyond isolated health activities, HPS is a whole-school approach that creates healthy environments for learning, living, and working. Drawing on WHO and Schools for Health in Europe (SHE) principles, the infographic highlights the shared roles of policymakers, practitioners, researchers, schools, and communities in supporting this transition. By strengthening evaluation and evidence, aligning policies and frameworks, and building capacity and communities of practice, schools can be better supported to reduce inequities, improve wellbeing, and enhance learning outcomes for all students.