AIM: To explore secondary school students' health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, and to examine staff assessment of the Bodyzone project, in which confidential drop-in clinics for young people are set up at schools. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving a questionnaire, participatory group assessments and staff interviews was used to gather data from students and staff at two schools for phase one of the evaluation. RESULTS: The results showed that the Bodyzone service is valued by those who use it and by school staff. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that the Bodyzone programme has many of the elements of a successful adolescent healthcare service and deals with a range of health and social problems experienced by young people. However, its small scale of operation hampers the capacity to provide an effective service to all who might need to access it.