Understanding the SHRN Survey and How it Benefits Your Child
This page is for you, the parents and carers of children taking part in The SHRN School Health and Well-being Survey. Schools will send you information about the survey and how the data will be managed and used two weeks week before your child is invited to take part. In the meantime, you can find additional details about our survey progress and data management on this page.
Get Ready for Our Next Survey!
We are pleased to announce that the next round of data collection for The School Health Research Network (SHRN) starts in September 2025 for secondary schools and in 2026 for years 3 to 6 in primary schools.
Discover SHRN
Curious about what SHRN is all about? Check out this video which explains what we are all about.
Want more details? Read our brochure to learn about SHRN’s main activities, including data collection, research, and support for schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know you might have questions, so we’ve got you covered. Click on the questions below to reveal the answers:
What is SHRN?
The School Health Research Network (SHRN), here at Cardiff University, is a partnership funded by Welsh Government and supported by Public Health Wales. The network includes schools, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners across Wales. It aims to improve the health and well-being of children and young people by providing data and research to support schools in implementing effective approaches.
How Does SHRN Make a Difference to Learner Health and Well-being?
SHRN works across local, regional, and national levels to improve learner health and well-being. We provide valuable health and well-being data to schools, assisting them in planning and evaluating their health and well-being programmes. As a national support system, backed by the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales, we work with health and education professionals. Regionally, we partner with The Welsh Network of Health and Well-being Promoting Schools (WNHWPS) to apply school health and well-being research evidence into practice, helping schools and their supporters understand and use health research to improve learner health and well-being.
Why Are You Asking My Child About Their Health and Well-being?
Our survey collects information on various aspects of children’s and young people’s health and well-being. This helps us understand their needs better and supports schools and policymakers in creating effective support systems. Having a support system helps children and young people’s health and well-being, helping them feel more confident and secure.
Is The Survey Anonymous?
Yes, the survey is anonymous. This means your child’s responses cannot be linked back to them, ensuring their privacy, and encouraging honest answers. Schools get information from the SHRN survey in aggregate form, which means they receive data for the overall population, not individual learners. The data is analysed as a whole, so individual responses stay anonymous. his protects privacy while still providing useful insights to improve health and well-being support for everyone.
Is The Survey GDPR Compliant?
Yes, the SHRN survey follows all the rules to protect personal data. It complies with the GDPR and the UK Data Protection Act 2018 to ensure your child’s privacy is safeguarded. Read More…
Why Was My Child Chosen to Take Part?
Your child was chosen to take part because their school is part of the SHRN network. All secondary schools in Wales are part of SHRN, with 95% of these schools and over 70% of learners taking part in 2023. SHRN has recently expanded into primary schools, with over half of them taking part in 2024.
Why Should They Take Part in The Survey?
Taking part helps us gather valuable insights into children and young people’s health and well-being. This information can lead to better support and resources for both schools and learners, making a positive impact on their overall experience and success.
Does Your Survey Have Ethical Approval?
Yes, the SHRN survey has ethical approval. Each survey is reviewed and approved by the Cardiff University Ethics Committee. This ensures the survey follows strict guidelines to protect the rights and well-being of the children and young people who take part. It means the survey is conducted in a way that is respectful, safe, and fair for all who take part.
What if My Child, or I, Do Not Want to Participate?
Taking part in the SHRN survey is completely voluntary. If you or your child decide not to take part, you can opt out. Schools will give you information on how to do this closer to the time of the survey.
What Will My Child Be Asked to Do?
Your child will need to complete an online survey during school time. Your school will tell you when this is happening.
What Types of Questions Will You Ask My Child?
Questions are age-appropriate questions and covers daily habits such as diet, physical activity, and sleep patterns. It also asks about feelings, emotions, and mental health experiences. Learners are asked how they feel about their school environment, their relationships with teachers and peers, and their overall satisfaction with school. It also asks about health behaviours that can affect their health and well-being.
How Have the Questions Been Developed?
The survey draws on tried and trusted questions. By working with schools, health experts, and our partners we ensure the questions are useful for understanding and improving learner health and well-being. The process includes talking to teachers and health professionals to find out what topics are important, looking at research and testing the questions to make sure they are clear. This way, the questions are both scientifically sound, age appropriate and relevant.
Can I See the Questions Beforehand?
Yes, parents and carers can see the survey questions in advance. Schools will provide access to the survey questions so you can see what will be asked.
How Will You Use the Survey Answers?
The answers will be used to create reports and insights that help schools, practitioners and policymakers improve health and well-being support for learners.
Upcoming Parent and Carer Information Pack
Closer to the survey date, we will send a comprehensive Parent and Carer Survey Information Pack to schools. This pack will include additional FAQs, providing further information and addressing any questions or queries you may have.
Need Help?
If you have any questions, please reach out to us by emailing shrn@cardiff.ac.uk. We are here to help and support you every step of the way!