Die Relevanz von Netzwerkarbeit in der schulischen Gesundheitsförderung

School is one of the most important places to start promoting the health of children and young people, partly because pupils spend a large part of their time here. However, school can only be partially dedicated to health promotion, and school itself is only part of the everyday environment by which health behaviour is shaped. In order to increase the effectiveness of health promotion, the formation of networks between school and municipal actors such as sports clubs, youth welfare services, counselling centres and health authorities seems to make sense. This article addresses the question of the relevance of networks in the context of school health promotion. The derivation is on the one hand based on the legal framework of the educational mandate of schools and the so-called Prevention Act of 2015 and on the other hand on the Ottawa Charter of the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as on the discourse developed from it around the terms “health promotion” and “setting approach”. Perspectives are shown on how networks can be designed in a scientifically sound way and how suitable network partners can be won. Possible risks and opportunities of networking are analysed, and factors of success and failure are pointed out. Networking should be obligatory for schools in terms of health promotion. It can help identify needs within the school and at the same time be a key in dealing with resulting challenges. Networking requires above all the motivation of the actors. A common vision, fixed structures, continuity and appropriate personnel considerations contribute to the success of the cooperation.