Active Lives Children & Young People Survey

Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young People survey measures the sport and physical activity levels of children and young people aged 5-16 years across England. Administered by schools, the survey also includes measures for wellbeing, attitudes towards sport and physical activity and volunteering. The findings are being used to shape future policy and investment in school sport.

Follow this link to access the Sport England Active Lives Information and resources

Active Lives Children and Young People 2021-22 Report

At a National Level:

Activity levels have returned to pre-pandemic levels. 47.2% of children and young people are achieving the recommended 60 minutes of sport or physical activity a day, this means that 3.4 million are benefitting from being active. However, there are still over 52.8% of children and young people who are not active enough.

There are still inequalities:

• Activity levels are lowest for those in school years 3 – 4
• The gender gap has re-emerged, boys have driven the recovery
• Those from less affluent families are least likely to be active
• Children and young people from Black, Asian and Other ethnicities are the least likely to be active

But there are positives

• Activity levels among children and young people with a disability or long-term health condition are the same as for those without
• Secondary aged girls’ activity levels are increasing
• Active children are happier, worry less and feel less lonely

When we look at activities:

• Active play, team sports and active travel are the most common activities
• Active travel is the most common mode of transport for getting to school
• More girls are playing football now than when the survey started
• Swimming has seen a strong recovery but is still down on pre-pandemic levels

At a local level:

In Kent and Medway, the results are similar to the national figures. 46.6% of children and young people are active, 14,100 more than the previous year. However, there are still 53.4% of children and young people are not active enough.

• Medway has had a significant increase in the number of active children and young people, meaning that 5,700 more people are active
• Gravesham is the most active district, whilst Tonbridge and Malling is the least active

Active Kent & Medway are committed to tackling inactivity and reducing the inequalities in sport and physical activity across the country.

Follow this link to see how we’re tackling inequalities across Kent and Medway.

Taking part in the Active Lives Survey

Active Kent and Medway is managing the survey in Kent and Medway on behalf of Sport England with the support of School Games Organisers.  Ipsos MORI, a specialist research agency, are processing the survey and abide by the Market Research Code of Conduct, which includes ensuring the survey is confidential and anonymous.

Selected Schools

Schools are randomly selected to take part but any school, if not selected in a school year, can chose to take part by opting-in.  If your school is selected you will be contacted and, subject to completing a minimum number of surveys, you will receive a bespoke report on the findings plus equipment vouchers to the value of at least £100. Those schools who take part will also receive a Healthy Schools Rating, providing they complete the minimum number of surveys including a teacher survey.

Opt-In Schools

Schools which are not randomly selected can choose to take part and, subject to them completing a minimum number of surveys, will receive a free report on the findings.  Please contact Louise.Milne@kent.gov.uk if you’d like to opt-in to take the survey.

All the latest information on taking part, as well as supporting resources for schools can be found on the Sport England website. This includes details on the process, survey questions, example school reports, template communications for parents, information for the students and teachers who are taking part as well as the privacy policy.

Follow this link for Sport England’s Active Lives CYP pages

If you have any questions about the Active Lives Survey, please contact Rachael Scott via email: rachael.scott@kent.gov.uk.