A Good Place to Learn?

What young people think makes schools healthy

Kate Healey
June 2002 | ISBN 978 1 85717 523 3 | 8 pages | £3.00

Children’s physical and emotional health and well-being have been high on the national agenda since the Government announced its Healthy Schools initiative in 1998. But what are young people’s priorities when it comes to health in schools? This research summary draws on a survey of almost 400 students from 41 secondary schools across London. It looks at four areas of health: emotional well-being, healthy living, school environment, and having a voice. It includes quotes from students on issues such as diet, lack of exercise and bullying, and concludes that all young people should have a say in the development of their school environment which, ultimately, will have a lasting impact on their lives.