Active Lives Survey

Active Lives Survey - Children and Young People

The Active Lives Survey (ALS) for Children and Young people was launched in the 2017/2018 academic year, designed by Sport England, Department for Education (DfE), Department for Health (DfH), and the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS). Its purpose is to gain a detailed insight into the current physical activity habits of the nation's children and young people (aged 5 to 16).

Data collected through the process will be used by Sport England and central government to shape and unlock investment in physical activity both nationally and locally for years to come. Sport England has outlined their intentions for the survey to inform the Childhood Obesity Plan, Primary PE and Sports Premium, and other departmental programmes in the near future.

The survey is being distributed to primary and secondary schools across England by the Active Partnership Network, of which we are a part of. Schools are randomly selected by Ipsos Mori and locally, there are 6-8 schools selected per local authority each term. Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire will be on hand to support participating schools throughout the process.

The survey itself involves one randomly selected class from three different year groups, completing a 20 minute online survey. Questions are focused around their current activity, physical literacy, swimming proficiency, wellbeing, self-efficacy and levels of social trust of all children currently in education.

A reward of multi-skills sports equipment equating to a minimum of £100 will be given to participating schools who meet the criteria of completing at least 30 responses, as well as a bespoke report detailing their pupils' engagement in and attitudes towards physical activity, both in and outside of the school setting. In order to qualify for the incentives (vouchers, report and Healthy Schools Rating) schools will need to obtain a minimum of 30 pupil responses per age group selected and complete one teacher survey. It is advised that schools use this information to shape and inform their own PE delivery as well as their Primary PE Sports Premium expenditure if applicable. Schools will also be able to receive a Healthy Schools Rating with certificate.

Healthy Schools Rating Scheme

The Department of Education have recently launched the new Healthy Schools Rating Scheme which has been designed to recognise and encourage schools contributions to pupils' health and wellbeing. A healthy schools rating can be attained via the teacher survey which is administered within the Active Lives Survey. Questions are asked in a self-assessment format and are based around the promotion of active travel, time spent on physical education, compliance with school food standards and food education. Schools will the be given a bronze, silver or gold rating based on their answers.

This Healthy Schools Rating and certificate will be provided at the same time as the bespoke report.

Should you require further information about the Active Lives Children and Young People's Survey, or you wish to opt in, please contact activelives@worc.ac.uk and a member of our team will be in touch.