Schools across Wales are using the School Sport Survey to help more children enjoy and take part in sport.
After completing the survey, each school receives their own unique results. Find out how schools used their data from 2022 to put their pupils’ feedback into action.
Heolddu Comprehensive School – making sport appealing to those that don't take part
Heolddu Comprehensive School are using their survey results to encourage everyone to take part in sport - especially those who are less confident.
The challenge
The 2022 survey showed that many pupils at Heolddu Comprehensive School weren’t taking part in sport.
Teachers realised they had been spending most of their time with the pupils who already enjoy sport – the ones who love to compete and are already involved in teams and clubs outside school.
This meant that those less active children were missing out.
The data told us that pupils weren’t enjoying sport. So, we made the decision to prioritise the children who weren’t doing any sport and we have made it our mission to get them more active.
"For some pupils, this is their last chance to engage them in sport and a healthy, active lifestyle. If it doesn’t happen at secondary school, how will it happen?
What they did
Keen to make a difference, the PE department made some big changes:
- Split pupils into two groups :
- Performance - for pupils already engaged in sport.
- Participation – for pupils who don’t enjoy competitive sport.
- Used the survey data to show the headteacher why extra investment in PE would improve pupil health and wellbeing.
- Secured funding for an extra staff member to run fun, easy‑to‑join activities at lunchtimes and after school, such as badminton, frisbee and pickleball.
- Swapped traditional sports for more relaxed versions, like volleyball, dodgeball and bench ball, while still helping pupils learn skills such as throwing and catching.
- Ran alternative activities like dodgeball at the same time as rugby matches for less competitive pupils.
- Shaped their curricular and extra-curricular activities with pupil voice at the heart of decision-making.
- Ran their own mini survey in 2024 to keep listening to pupils and improve their PE offer.
The impact
- More pupils are now joining in and enjoying sport.
- 47% of pupils now say they enjoy PE (from the school’s own survey.)
- Pupils feel more confident to try new things.
- Some pupils have moved into the ‘performance’ group.
- Teachers celebrate small steps and progress, not just winning.
- Pupils are asked what activities they would like to try.
- 70% of pupils feel that their opinions and ideas are listened to (from the school’s own survey.)
- The PE curriculum is now broader and more inclusive.
- Fewer pupils are dropping out of sport as they get older.
Top tip for completing the survey
Work with your IT team to help you and consider running the survey in an RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) lesson.
Ysgol Nant Celyn – strengthening after-school clubs
Ysgol Nant Celyn are using their survey data to widen the after-school activities on offer and spot any gaps.
The challenge
The 2022 survey gave the school a clear and honest picture of how well it had been supporting pupils’ physical development and wellbeing.
There were a number of positives:
- Good enjoyment of PE.
- Strong participating in team sports.
- Positive attitude to being active.
Detailed data broken down into year groups and gender were really useful for Nant Celyn. This allowed the school to identify areas of improvement.
The data pinpointed the areas we needed to focus on: less confident pupils, widening the range of lunchtime and after-school activities, and ensuring all classes had consistent access to high-quality equipment and teaching.
What they did
- Increased the number of sports and activities in after-school clubs.
- Brought in a Teaching Assistant and an outside coach to run football and rugby -sports not previously delivered by staff.
- Improved links with local clubs and national governing bodies.
- Invited a local rugby club and Cricket Wales to run sessions to improve participation at clubs outside of school.
- Ran specific sessions for:
- children who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment with Wales Deaf Rugby.
- children with additional learning needs (e.g ASD) have enjoyed taster sessions in a number of sports.
- Focused on having fun and participation at after-school clubs to motivate less confident pupils.
- Used a grant to buy more equipment.
- Introduced Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) to encourage active play and educate children on risk.
The impact
- Increased participation and enjoyment at after-school clubs.
- The dance club has grown from just six pupils to 46.
- Supported teachers with resources, such as RealPE to ensure consistent progression.
- Early signs that more children are now attending local sports clubs.
- Pupils are keener to try a new sport, and fewer pupils are refusing to do PE.
The school is now looking to use sport and outdoor activities in other areas of learning.
We have made more sports available as part of our PE and after-school clubs. But we’re still at the beginning of our journey. The support we now have in place will help our teaching team grow in confidence. We’ll continue strengthening our links with the community and encouraging our pupils to be healthy, confident and ambitious in PE as we keep developing our offer.
Top tip for completing the survey
Take your time – read and explain each question so pupils understand what they’re answering.
Ysgol Greenhill – expanding choice and helping girls feel more confident
Ysgol Greenhill are widening their sports menu to give pupils more choice and help girls feel more confident, thanks to their survey data.
The challenge
Ysgol Greenhill considered themselves a fairly sporty school before the 2022 survey. But the survey highlighted:
- Fewer girls taking part in sport compared to boys.
- Girls’ participation dropping further as they get older.
- Less confident pupils not joining in extra-curricular activities.
The data showed us that lots of girls weren’t feeling comfortable taking part in sport. It also highlighted which sports the pupils wanted to take part in.
What they did
- Shared the School Sport Survey results with all pupils.
- Introduced ‘Magic Mondays’, inclusive lunchtime and after-school clubs with sports, including dodgeball, netball, dance and basketball.
- Spoke to girls in all year groups to understand why they weren’t feeling comfortable playing sport.
- Moved PE lessons for years 10 and 11 to the end of the day to avoid the need to change back into uniform when feeling hot and sweaty.
- Split PE lessons for boys and girls in year 7 and 8 to help girls feel more comfortable and confident.
- Updated girls’ PE kit to include black leggings.
- Continued running girls’ football sessions.
The impact
Mr Williams says this is still work in progress as the school aims to get all pupils, particularly girls, enjoying sport more often.
But they are already seeing the impact:
- ‘Magic Mondays’ are popular with pupils who are not usually confident joining in.
- Regular ‘Magic Monday’ surveys help teachers put on the sports and activities the pupils want.
- Positive feedback from girls about their new PE kit and the changes to the timetable.
- Highest participation in girls’ football at the school with pupils also taking part in local clubs.
- More choice of sport for pupils.
As a school, we really value the School Sport Survey. It’s a tool which we can use to see what’s working well and what needs to be improved. We can benchmark ourselves against the national average too
"We also use it as a conversation starter with our pupils – it’s been particularly useful in highlighting that girls weren’t feeling comfortable, and we’ve now made changes to the PE kit and to our timetable.
Top tip for completing the survey
Explain to pupils that they can have an impact on PE lessons and extracurricular clubs. Then, share the key findings with pupils and show the action that you’re taking.
There’s still time for your pupils to have their voice heard
The 2026 School Sport Survey is open for responses until 17 July 2026. Pupils in school years 3 to 11 can take part in the survey through your school.
Schools should have received details on how to take part via email. If you have not received details or for any enquiries, email schoolsportsurvey2026@sport.wales
School Sport Survey
The School Sport Survey gives young people a voice on sport and wellbeing in Wales. The survey provides helpful insights into who’s taking part in sport. As well as behaviours and attitudes towards sport.