The School Sport Survey returns for 2026 — bringing the most accessible, inclusive and engaging version of the survey ever developed to schoolchildren across Wales.

This year’s survey has been updated using direct feedback from children and young people, with changes designed to support pupils of all ages and abilities.

The survey runs from Monday 13 April to Friday 17 July 2026.

New for 2026

Pupil voice has guided every stage of development. Children and young people took part in extensive testing, shaping design choices.

These changes will give a greater understanding of children's habits around sport and physical activity. 

Accessible for all pupils

New accessibility features include:

• 15 additional language options beyond Welsh and English
• Audio narration for pupils who are blind or have low vision
• British Sign Language and Makaton translation for pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing

More engaging design

The new design will capture more data than ever before. It includes:

• Interactive games and features to focus and motivate pupils.

Better access to data

New interactive online dashboards will give fast access to data for:

• Schools
• Local authorities
• Sports partnerships
• National governing bodies

Aligned with the Curriculum for Wales

Both pupil and teacher surveys have been built in line with the Curriculum of Wales.

Benefits for schools

The School Sport Survey can be a powerful tool for improving pupils’ experience of sport in schools.

The insight helps to:

• identify what activities pupils enjoy and want to do more of
• strengthen school sport and extracurricular offers
• support pupil wellbeing
• highlight where gaps exist and access to sport can be improved
• learn about the local community sport facilities available to schools

Every participating school receives a bespoke set of results, helping them better understand and respond to the needs of their pupils.

Benefits for sport in Wales

The School Sport Survey will help sports organisations across Wales to improve opportunities for children and young people.

The insight helps to:

• shape programmes and sessions to meet demand
• identify gaps across activities, locations and demographics
• understand facility use, demand and need
• guide national investment decisions made by Sport Wales and Welsh Government

Sport Wales supports an active future

Brian Davies, CEO of Sport Wales, highlighted the importance of these changes:

“The School Sport Survey 2026 promises to be the most insightful yet, giving us all the opportunity to make a real difference in achieving our ambitions of setting every child up to be active and healthy for life. 

“Crucially, the survey data allows our partners to assess demand and identify how they can make sporting opportunities more accessible and diverse across the country.

“Every school that supports the completion of the School Sport Survey is part of a national community helping the drive for young people to be more active. Diolch i pawb.”  

The work is supported by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales:

“Giving children a real voice in how physical activity is shaped is essential. The Survey provides valuable insight that helps create opportunities designed for children and by children. 

“It strengthens the ability of schools and community partners to build healthier and happier futures for young people.”

Results from the survey will be available in the Autumn.

Find out more

Every school in Wales should receive an invitation to take part via email. 

Visit the School Sport Survey page for full guidance and support on taking part.

For any enquiries, please email schoolsportsurvey2026@sport.wales