National Data

Primary SHRN National Report – 2022/23

Between September 2022 and March 2023, just over 32,500 learners from 354 primary schools in Wales took part in a health and wellbeing survey. Findings are presented on topics such as ‘healthy eating and physical activity, ‘electronic device use’ and ‘school transition’.

For the first time we are able to examine health behaviours in children as young as age 7. 

SHRN National Report – 2021/22

Student Health and Wellbeing In Wales: Report of the 2021/22 School Health Research Network Student Health and Wellbeing Survey

In 2021/22 just under 125,000 11 to 16 year olds took part in the survey and findings on ‘mental health and wellbeing’, ‘school life’, ‘physical activity and diet’, ‘family and social life’, ‘relationships’, and ‘substance use and gambling’ are presented in the National Report. 

For the first time, we are able to compare pre- and post-Covid health and wellbeing data from secondary schools on a national level.

The Public Health Knowledge, Research and Evaluation Directorate within Public Health Wales alongside DECIPHer have developed an online interactive health intelligence product to visualise SHRN data at a local authority level. This dashboard aims to allow easier access to, and understanding of the available SHRN data at a local authority level and above.

Find a link to the dashboard and further information below:

Public Health Wales Observatory Dashboard

You can also find an animation outlining some of the findings below:

Primary School Student Health and Wellbeing Survey – 2021

Between April and July 2021, shortly after returning to school following a second period during which schools had closed to most pupils, approximately 2000 children in 76 schools across Wales completed a survey. This formed part of pilot work to expand SHRN into primary schools. This report provides an overview of children’s health and wellbeing. It also provides some initial comparisons of 2021 estimates with our most recent survey from 2019, to assess changes over time since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

School Environment Questionnaire Report – 2021/22

School policies and practices for health improvement in Wales – a survey of senior leadership teams in secondary schools:

National Report – 2019/20

Student Health and Wellbeing In Wales: Report of the 2019/20 School Health Research Network Student Health and Wellbeing Survey

In 2019/20 just under 120,000 11 to 16 year olds took part in the survey and findings on ‘mental health and wellbeing’, ‘school life’, ‘physical activity and diet’, ‘family and social life’, ‘relationships’, and ‘substance use and gambling’ are presented in the National Report. 

National briefing papers

Youth mental health and wellbeing in Wales: Comparing findings from the 2019 and 2021 School Health Research Network Student Health and Wellbeing survey

August 2022

Preparedness for roll-out of national school reforms from the perspectives of school staff: Findings from the School Health Research Network 2020 School Environment Questionnaire

March 2022

Youth smoking and vaping in Wales: Findings from the School Health Research Network 2019 Student Health and Wellbeing survey

October 2020

Tobacco remains a leading cause of death and disability, while concerns have been expressed regarding young people’s use of e-cigarettes and the risk that such use may act as a gateway to smoking or may renormalize tobacco use. This briefing presents recent data on smoking and vaping prevalence among 11-16 year olds in Wales.

Young People ‘Looked After’ in Wales: findings from the 2017/18 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey and School Health Research Network Student Health and Wellbeing Survey

January 2020

At any given time, approximately 6,000 young people in Wales are in the care of their local authority. This briefing presents findings for a small selection of variables, including wellbeing, risk behaviours, school life and loneliness, for young people ‘looked after’ in Wales who live in different types of care setting, with data from young people not in care for comparison.

Student Wellbeing in Wales: Initial findings from the 2017/18 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey and School Health Research Network Student Health and Wellbeing Survey

May 2019

Prevention of emotional and behavioural problems and promotion of positive wellbeing in children and young people, as well as reduction of child and adolescent health inequalities, are national priorities in Wales. This briefing presents findings for adolescents in Wales across a small selection of variables pertaining to wellbeing, including mental wellbeing, life satisfaction, feelings about school and loneliness.

School Environment Questionnaire Reports – Previous Years

School policies and practices for health improvement in Wales – a survey of senior leadership teams in secondary schools:

National Reports

Student Health and Wellbeing In Wales: Report of the 2017/18 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey and School Health Research Network Student Health and Wellbeing Survey

The health and wellbeing of young people in Wales has been monitored by the World Health Organization’s Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Survey since 1985. The HBSC Survey is now incorporated into the School Health Research Network’s Student Health and Wellbeing Survey. In 2017/18 over 100,000 11 to 16 year olds took part in the survey and findings on general health and wellbeing, school life, family life and friendships, relationships, smoking, drinking and drug-taking, and gambling are presented in the National Report. The accompanying infograph summarizes findings on a selection of key variables pertinent to the public health outcomes framework for Wales.