4 easy steps to a Waterschool

It´s easy to become a Waterschool. Just follow these 4 simple steps:

Step 1: Decide that "We will become a Waterschool."

Teachers, head teachers, parents, students: Whoever wants to implement a healthier drinking culture in school should start talking to others.

• Strike up a conversation with the school management, your colleagues, your parent teacher representatives about the topic. Prepare convincing arguments (for arguments, see Module 1)
• Inform and motivate your colleagues (e.g. as part of a educational conference).
• Decide to become a Waterschool and set the date of implementation.

Step 2: Preparatory work

In order to become a Waterschool, there are a few preliminary considerations.

• Ensure availability of water in all classrooms.
• If necessary, contact the water supplier or school carrier to ensure water quality.
• Organize drinking facilities (bottles, glasses, cups) for the pupils/students.

Step 3: Implementation – Action Plan

Availability of water at school is not enough. Pupils just forget about drinking. To drink enough, they need to be actively reminded. Helping activities can be:

• Launch drinking rituals in schools.
• Use nudging strategies to remind pupils to drink water.
• Inform and integrate parents.
• Treat the topic during the lesson

Step 4: Quality assurance

Schools are undergoing constant change: new teachers, change of leadership, new projects that demand attention.

Every now and then, for example in the context of a conference, check whether healthy drinking behavior is still being practiced at your school.

Waterschool-Check:

• Pupils/students drink tap water at school.
• Pupils/students have a bottle/cup.
• Pupils are reminded to drink water.
• Water drinking is allowed during the lessons, drinking breaks are made.
• Teachers drink water in class (role model).
• Drinking water is encouraged during meals (e.g. by setting water jugs).
• Waterschool is anchored (e.g. in the school profile, house rules or mission statement).
• (New) parents are being informed about Waterschool.

For answers to some frequently asked questions, there is a useful section here.

You can find further ideas, educational material and good practice examples by going to the “Become a waterschool” section.