Making Every School a Health Promoting School Health Promoting Schools (HPS) integrate wellbeing into every aspect of school life: policies, practices, and culture. They help students, teachers and communities thrive by creating a supportive environment for living, learning, and working. Creating healthier school environments can be a cost-effective, evidence-based solution to interrelated challenges, such as teacher burnout, worsening student mental and physical health and social inequalities.
SUPPORT Allocate adequate funding for HPS as a cost-effective way to boost education and health.
How to build a health promoting school?
Invest in health, harvest success Investing in healthier schools to improve the quality of education generates high returns. For every €1 spent on health promotion interventions, society gains up to €14 back.
CONNECT Build partnerships among schools, communities and governments.
CHANGE
EMPOWER
Embed HPS frameworks into national policies, strategies and school cultures.
Equip school leaders with tools and support they need to inspire change.
Policies and initiatives supporting HPS approaches European Education Area Supports high-quality education systems and integrates mobility into students’ and teachers’ learning
Pathways to School Success Council Conclusions (2022) Calls for Members States to address early school dropouts and underachievement, promoting wellbeing
European Commission's Expert Group on Wellbeing at School Guidance for schools and policymakers to implement whole-school approaches to wellbeing
Healthier Together Initiative Supports Member States to reduce non-communicable diseases through coordinated efforts
European Commission's Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Outlines 20 flagship initiatives to improve mental wellbeing across the life course
HealthyLifestyles4All Campaign A two-year campaign by the European Commission on active lifestyles and better health for all ages
EU Child Guarantee Supports countries to promote social inclusion by ensuring children in need have access to essential services
Updated WHO Regional Strategy on Child and Adolescent Health Coming soon
It’s time to go beyond individual lessons on health and integrate wellbeing into the very fabric of school life. Scan here for the full policy brief on
Why Invest in Health Promoting Schools?