Positive Moves for Children and Young People in Hertfordshire

Sport England's recent release of CYP Active Lives data for Academic Year 24-25 indicates further positive movement for children and young people in Hertfordshire. In the past 12 months, 'Active' rates (60 mins a day) have increased by 1.3% and 'Less Active' rates (less than 30 mins a day) decreased by 1.1%.

Whilst the full data release will be available in 2026, we do have some indication of inequalities in activity that still remain nationally. Sport England reported:

Black (41%) 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 than the average across all ethnicities and affluence groups. 

An alternative view on the Active Lives data has been considered by Youth Sport Trust: Class of 2035 Report that uses AI and data from Active Lives to predict possible future in 2035 considering Policy, Funding, School and Community Environment.

The extrapolated data, points to further challenges around these inequalities and how they may widen if action is not targeted towards focused intervention. The report refers to how Active Lives data could look in 2035:

Significant participation gaps are projected to widen further: only 40% of girls, 37% of Black and Asian children, 38% of those from low-affluence households, and 28% of children with SEND or disabilities will hit recommended activity levels.

Both reports show that programmes and funding need to continue to focus on those people facing the most inequality.

HSP's work continues to be driven by these areas of inequality:

• HAPpy Camps - eligible audience being low-affluence households through free school meal eligibility and allocation and training around SEND being a key area of focus of the programme.
• Our work with schools is focused on those least active including girls and SEND including leadership and coaching programmes to support both increased opportunities and workforce development.
• Included in our Place Universal Offer (PUO) funded by Sport England, our priority is children and young people from the most deprived wards in Hertfordshire. Waltham Cross and Cowley Hill have some of the highest figures of obesity, inactivity and systemic barriers to being active in their communities.