Support for Healthy Secondary Schools
The following are examples taken from the documents that schools receive when taking part in the Health Related Behaviour Questionnaire survey. Over 600,000 pupils in primary and secondary schools have taken part in the survey over the past twenty-five years. The data provides schools and local authorities with reliable data to support programme planning to develop healthy communities. View this PDF (348kb) for further examples showing data about Food & Nutrition, Smoking, Physical Activity, Drugs & Alcohol.
Early roots of health
The Health Related Behaviour Questionnaire (HRBQ) was first developed in 1976 as an outcome of researches within the Department of Community Medicine at Nottingham University. Since then it has been used in more than a thousand surveys in secondary schools in the UK. It has also been used overseas.
Pupils describe what they do at home, at school, and at play
Across a period of more than 20 years the method surrounding its use, together with its content, have evolved against the demands of the users. In the early years these were mainly teachers, but within the last decade the medical profession has become more and more involved in shaping the content against the demands of national Health of the Nation and Our Healthier Nation targets. Similarly, from within schools there has been the pressure to produce information that can fit within National Curriculum targets when fed back as results.
A cohort study
The questionnaire has been used by groups of schools supported by LEA, PCT or other funding partners. Collective study of the results by teachers from the schools is particularly valuable, and repeated surveys can track trends and changes.
Many of the questions are directly compatible with those in the primary school version. This makes possible a unique longitudinal study, whilst maintaining continuity of the data across the primary-secondary age ranges.
Why should my school take part?
The questions contained in the questionnaire can provide valuable baseline information for schools embarking on their audit for the National Healthy Schools Scheme or for prioritising their resources as they go through the process.
Who is involved?
Year 8 and Year 10 pupils
What does my school get and how much commitment does my school need to give?
Schools' commitment:
For each of the questions within the questionnaire your school will receive confidential books of tables separated by year group and gender. The following example is from a secondary school surveyed in 2003. The local authority will receive overall tables of data for the combined primary sample so that they can plan strategically for all schools.
Computer files
We can also send you your figures electronically so that you can use some of the results in maths lessons perhaps to produce your own charts and graphs. This is sent to you as an e-mailed HTML document so that you can drop it into a package like Microsoft Excel.
Comparative reports When we have processed all the results for all the schools in your area, we will send you a confidential comparative report that will show your data alongside the total results for all schools; for example:
Early roots of health
The Health Related Behaviour Questionnaire (HRBQ) was first developed in 1976 as an outcome of researches within the Department of Community Medicine at Nottingham University. Since then it has been used in more than a thousand surveys in secondary schools in the UK. It has also been used overseas.
Pupils describe what they do at home, at school, and at play
Across a period of more than 20 years the method surrounding its use, together with its content, have evolved against the demands of the users. In the early years these were mainly teachers, but within the last decade the medical profession has become more and more involved in shaping the content against the demands of national Health of the Nation and Our Healthier Nation targets. Similarly, from within schools there has been the pressure to produce information that can fit within National Curriculum targets when fed back as results.
A cohort study
The questionnaire has been used by groups of schools supported by LEA, PCT or other funding partners. Collective study of the results by teachers from the schools is particularly valuable, and repeated surveys can track trends and changes.
Many of the questions are directly compatible with those in the primary school version. This makes possible a unique longitudinal study, whilst maintaining continuity of the data across the primary-secondary age ranges.
Why should my school take part?
The questions contained in the questionnaire can provide valuable baseline information for schools embarking on their audit for the National Healthy Schools Scheme or for prioritising their resources as they go through the process.
Who is involved?
Year 8 and Year 10 pupils
- Should take about an hour for most Year 10 secondary pupils, additional support may be needed for younger or less able pupils
- It is enjoyable for pupils and an opportunity for them to think about their own health
- It is an opportunity for schools to work more closely with PCT and other agencies
What does my school get and how much commitment does my school need to give?
Schools' commitment:
- Support from head and senior management
- Identify coordinator for the survey
- Attend briefing session 'Collecting Good Data'
- Notify parents (example letters provided)
- Give up an hour of curriculum time
- Share the results with colleagues
- Support from local coordinators and SHEU
- Book of tables for each question in the questionnaire
- Comparative report to identify priorities
- Individual feedback to pupils (optional) Book of suggestions on how to use the data
- Data on disc for ICT work
- Classroom materials
For each of the questions within the questionnaire your school will receive confidential books of tables separated by year group and gender. The following example is from a secondary school surveyed in 2003. The local authority will receive overall tables of data for the combined primary sample so that they can plan strategically for all schools.
Computer files
We can also send you your figures electronically so that you can use some of the results in maths lessons perhaps to produce your own charts and graphs. This is sent to you as an e-mailed HTML document so that you can drop it into a package like Microsoft Excel.
Comparative reports When we have processed all the results for all the schools in your area, we will send you a confidential comparative report that will show your data alongside the total results for all schools; for example:
Many teachers have found our Healthy School series a valuable set of resource books that include suggestions for policy review and action, lesson themes, photocopiable worksheets and scenarios, and in some cases model letters.
Please contact Angela Balding (Tel: 01392 667272) for further details.