Developing positive relationships in schools

Schools play a significant part not only in the formal and informal education of young people but also in their wellbeing - and hence the wellbeing of families and communities of the future. In 1995, the World Health Organization introduced the Global School Health initiative (WHO 1995) and brought the concept of education for wellbeing into the foreground. Related initiatives have since been adopted or developed by governments and education authorities in many parts of the world. In 2003 , the Wingspread Declaration: A National Strategy for Improving School Connectedness was issued in the USA. This is based on a detailed review of the relevant research as well as in-depth discussions amongst leaders in health and edu- cation in the USA. It summarises the evidence for positive relationships across education (Blum and Libbey 2004).