Youth Sport Trust / Limitless · 2021
This survey of 1,517 young people across 17 independent schools in England explored attitudes, motivations, and barriers to PE, school sport, and physical activity. Young people in independent schools were found to be more active than those in state schools, averaging 50 more minutes of activity per day. However, they face the same wellbeing challenges and barriers — particularly girls, who report significantly more barriers to participation than boys, including lack of confidence, body image concerns, and periods. Confidence and competence decline through adolescence for girls, while schools are identified as playing a vital role in maintaining girls' activity levels during this period.