Active Lives & Healthy Schools

In Cambridge and Peterborough…

• 41.9% (49,600) of children and young people were classed as active (meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines of an average of 60 minutes a day across the week), this is a decrease of 4.9%. The previous year had shown positive increases since the pandemic both locally and nationally. The decrease locally this year is alleviated by the national results that show activity levels across England have been maintained from last year.
• 30.9% (36,600) of children and young people are less active (30 minutes a day or less) and a further 27.3% are classed as fairly active.
• Volunteering levels have seen a slight (0.2%) decrease on the previous year. The level for England presents a contrasting trend with an increase of 2.8%. With the local levels decreasing and particularly compared to the baseline volunteering in 20127/18 it poses a greater need to support the increase of this locally.

How does the survey work?

• Each term schools are randomly selected by Sport England to take part in the Active Lives survey. Those schools will be contacted by Living Sport.
• Alternatively, schools can volunteer to take part by contacting Living Sport (incentives for these schools are slightly different).
• Schools take part in the simple online survey in their classes with one class in up to 3 different year groups at a point of their choosing during that term.  The survey takes less than 20 minutes to complete.
• For the youngest pupils, parents are also asked to fill in a survey about their child’s physical activity behaviours (additional incentives of £10 ESPO credits per parental survey are available to schools). 
• 1 teacher also needs to complete a survey which takes around 10 minutes.
• Each participating school will be provided with everything it needs including templates for letters to parents, information sheets for teachers and students and technical guidance from Living Sport.

A summary of the process and key documents can be found here.

What are the benefits to schools?

• Each school that takes part is given a bespoke report summarising its own results from the survey (if at least 30 students complete the questionnaire). This report covers measures of children’s activity levels, physical literacy, swimming proficiency, wellbeing, self-efficacy and levels of social trust.
• Participation in The Active Lives Survey provides access to The Healthy Schools Rating Scheme which comprises an on-line teacher survey, this is based on four key areas of assessment: Food Education, School Food Standards, Physical Education and Active Travel. The responses given are calculated to determine a rating – bronze, silver, or gold.
• Completion of the combined Active Lives Survey and Healthy Schools Rating Scheme can be cross referenced to the nutrition and physical activity standards for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Healthy Schools Award. This can help accelerate the school’s progress to achieving Healthy Schools status and being granted use of the local authority’s Healthy Schools logo. A plaque is also awarded in acknowledgement of the achievement and provides good evidence of the school’s commitment to Health Education.
• Schools can also choose sports or well-being equipment and resources worth at least £100 to thank them for their participation.

The following schools have been selected for 2023/2024 and will be contacted at the start of the relevant term.  

Living Sport plays a key role and acts as the main point of contact for schools regarding the Active Lives Survey. For more information please contact David Welch or Kate Hicks.