Schools and health education: What works, what is needed, and why?

Purpose - The purpose of this article is to provide a rationale for and background to the present contributions in this special issue on school health education. Design/methodology/approach - The paper argues that health promotion in schools has a vital place to play in improving the health of children, summarises the key themes that emerge from the five papers in the issue and contextualizes them within the current health promotion literature. Findings - The issue makes clear that there are several important ways in which health educators can foster the wellbeing of school health children who merit further research and the attention of policy makers. All have something to say about children in the classroom setting, and in particular their exposure to personal and situational events that can impact on their wellbeing and educational attainment, and possibilities for developing the knowledge, skills, motivation, and support they need to choose health-enhancing behaviors. They comment particularly on the need to address teacher motivation, and involve parents. Originality/value - The research and ideas embedded in this special issue can assist in the development or improvements of school-based health promotion programs and provide some direction about what action is needed in future and why.