An evaluation of factors which can affect the implementation of a health promotion programme under the Schools for Health in Europe framework

• Primary school teachers acknowledge that school can positively affect child health.
• Teachers understand the essential elements of school health promotion.
• Health promotion programmes which add to teacher workload are negatively perceived.
• Teachers doubt their ability to promote health across the school community.
• Health promotion programmes must adapt to the organisational culture of a school.

The Health Promoting Schools concept helps schools to promote health in a sustainable and long-term fashion. However, developing the capacity to promote health in this way can be challenging when a busy teaching curriculum must be fulfilled. This study aimed to identify factors which affect the acceptability of health promotion programmes to the everyday school environment.Semi-structured qualitative interviews were audio-taped with primary school teachers in one Irish county and transcribed verbatim. The resulting transcripts were analysed using content analysis.Thirty-one teachers were interviewed. The factors which may adversely affect the acceptability of health promotion programmes include the: attitude of teachers towards an additional extra-curricular workload; lack of confidence amongst teachers to lead health promotion; and different organisational cultures between schools.When health promotion programmes under the Health Promoting Schools concept are being implemented, it’s important to consider: the readiness for change amongst teachers; the resources available to increase staff capacity to promote health; and the ability of a programme to adapt to the different organisational cultures between schools.