Children’s Active Lives Survey

Active Lives Children and Young People’s Survey: Have your say

The Active Lives Children and Young People Survey measures engagement and attitudes to sport and physical activity within children and young people.

Each term, a number of schools across Norfolk are chosen to participate in the Active Lives Survey, with a mix of years 1-11 invited to take part. 

Sport England produces an annual report showing the results of the Active Lives Children and Young People’s survey using the data collected. This provides useful insight into the current levels of physical activity across the country, as well as in Norfolk.

By participating in the Children’s Active Lives Survey you will:

• Receive an in-depth insight report enabling you to better plan and incorporate ‘pupil voice’ within your physical education lessons* 
• Earn £100 worth of vouchers for sports equipment*
• Get a national DofE Healthy Schools Rating*  
• And, by taking part, you will help shape future regional decisions surrounding physical activity funding in your area.

* A minimum of 30 responses are required to receive the benefits. If you have questions surrounding your class sizes please email us.

Take part in the Active Lives Survey

Read the latest Children’s Active Lives Survey report

Schools participating in the 2025 Autumn Term Active Lives Survey

Each term, Sport England provide Active Norfolk with a random sample of schools that have been selected to take part. Within that school there will be up to three year groups selected. Check to see whether your school is on the list below.

If your child’s school is not on this list, they have not been chosen to participate in this survey this term. However, you can still request to participate. Simply contact [email protected].

Complete the Active Lives Survey

Schools who participate will receive a bespoke report outlining their survey results. This will cover measures of their pupils activity levels, physical literacy and swimming proficiency. It will also cover their wellbeing, self-efficacy and levels of social trust.

They will also receive a healthy schools rating to celebrate the positive actions the school. This will take into account their delivery in terms of healthy eating and physical education. Schools will also receive £100 worth of sports equipment.

Use the links below to select the district your child’s school is in to fill in the correct survey. However, please ensure you only fill in your school’s designated survey. Please note, you will need to complete the survey on a PC, as it will not work on a phone.

Breckland

Broadland

Great Yarmouth

North Norfolk

Norwich

South Norfolk

Kings Lynn & West Norfolk

What are the latest Children’s Active Lives Survey results?

The latest survey figures were released in December 2024. Here are the main takeaways:

• Children and young people’s overall activity levels remain stable as the recovery from the pandemic has been maintained across the 2023-24 academic year.
  • Despite this, there has been a long-term impact of Coronavirus on children and young people’s relationships with physical activity. For example, children in years 3-8 (who would have been aged 4-9 during the pandemic) remain less likely to have positive attitudes towards physical activity, and happiness levels are down within this group
  • Similarly, those in year 7 are less like to be able to swim 25 metres unaided than older children could at their age. (A 7% decrease)
• 47.8% of children have been taking part in the recommended average of 60 minutes or more of sport and physical activity a day. A further 22.7% are considered ‘fairly active’ and take part in 30-59 minutes of physical activity per day.
• Black (42%) and Asian (43%) children and young people, and those from the least affluent families (45%), still less likely to play sport or be physically active.
• Girls (45%) are still less likely to be active than boys (51%)

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more information below by browsing our frequently asked questions. If you still have questions, you can get in touch with the team directly below.

How can I locate my selected classes?

Let us know that your school is participating in the survey, and you will be automatically directed to your school’s selected classes. Be sure to save your links for future access or alternatively get in touch with [email protected] for these to be sent within an email.

What is the minimum number of responses needed to qualify for the benefits?

A minimum of 25 responses are needed in total (3 year groups) to achieve the benefits available to your school.

How do additional responses impact awareness of pupil voice?

The more responses your school collects, the greater the insight you will gain into how physical activity opportunities affect the outcomes for children and young people. This data will help you evaluate the effectiveness of these activities and make informed decisions to enhance their impact. For example, you might discover trends in student engagement, identify areas where additional resources are needed, or highlight successful programs that could be expanded. By gathering a substantial number of responses, you can ensure that the feedback is representative and comprehensive, providing a solid foundation for future planning and improvement.

Which URN number should I use for the teachers’ survey?

Your school’s unique URN number is required solely to access the teacher survey.

How much additional credit does a completed parents’ survey provide to the school?

Your school could receive an extra £10 per parent (one parent only) for yrs 1 & 2 pupils only.

What if i’m having trouble completing the survey?

Survey completion varies across different year groups. For instance, secondary schools can send the survey home as homework, while primary schools are encouraged to have pupils complete it in school due to varying levels of access to technology and support at home. 

Completion times also differ. Sport England suggests that the survey takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. Some schools use IT lessons for this purpose, while others survey pupils in smaller groups. 

Sport England have created a new guidance document to specifically support teachers of years 3 & 4. See pages 8-14 for guidance Active Lives – Children and Young People survey Year 1-6, KS 1-2, 2024-25.