Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of educating adolescents in practical ways of looking after their backs to reduce the incidence of back-pain, with particular focus on the use and carrying method of ergonomically designed schoolbags. Design/methodology/approach: An educational leaflet containing a range of back care information was designed specifically for a target population group of Year 7 schoolchildren, aged 11 to 12 years, and distributed to Year 7 students (n = 682) attending three main secondary education schools in West Sussex during September 2004. A feedback form was used to evaluate the impact of the leaflet on one class in each school (total n = 81). Findings: The main findings in this paper indicated education had immediate positive impact on students awareness of the importance of looking after their backs, and achieving positive back-health. Information gained was likely to influence future choice of schoolbag type, and intention to change to more back-health aware schoolbook and equipment carrying behaviours. Research limitations/implications: The paper shows that long-term impact was not evaluated, and is a limitation of this study. Further research is required to evaluate the long-term impact of education on back care in adolescents, and at which age optimum educational impact in this area is gained. Originality/value: This paper contributes evidence, which could be used to inform national and international health agendas, focusing on the specific area of healthy back education for adolescents through a school-based health promotion initiative. (Contains 2 figures.)