This project involved an evaluation of the national YA Peer Leader Programme aimed to increase participation among less active young people through peer-led activity.

The programme aimed to develop leadership skills, increase participation in the least active and enhance teachers’ competence and understanding to drive the leadership pathway through training and peer-led activity. spear was commissioned by Youth Sport Trust to evaluate the delivery and impact of the programme across 200 schools across England.

• Survey returns from over 2,100 participants showed the programme significantly increased the physical activity levels, physical literacy, social, emotional and individual development, opportunities and awareness of primary participants
• The percentage of primary participants achieving 60 daily active minutes increased from 38% to 46%, resulting in 442 children newly meeting CMO guidelines for physical activity
• Over 90% of primary staff but less than two-thirds of secondary staff (62%) believe the programme helped participants achieve 60 active minutes every day
• Engaging in peer-led activities was seen by around 90% of school staff to have increased participants’ confidence, social skills, sense of belonging and knowledge of healthy lifestyles
• Around four-fifths of school staff (~83%) believed the programme increased participants’ awareness of activity and leadership opportunities and raised aspirations

Date: 2014 – 2016

Client: Youth Sport Trust and Department for Education