Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Young People in East Herts A summary report of the Health Related Behaviour Survey 2018

These results were collected from a questionnaire appropriate for their Cross-phase links sample of primary pupils aged 9 to age group. Many of the questions in each 11 and secondary pupils aged 12 to Year 5 and Year 6 pupils completed version of the questionnaire are 15 in East Herts in the spring/summer the primary version of the identical or very similar. Some of terms of 2018. questionnaire. Pupils in Years 8 and the results of these questions are This work was commissioned and 10 completed the secondary presented on page 4 of this co-ordinated by Public Health with version of the questionnaire. All document, so that behaviour can Services for Children and Young were undertaken anonymously. be seen across the age range. People. The data will be used to Completed questionnaires were support health promotion activity then returned to SHEU in Exeter for Other reports across and other processing. An overall Hertfordshire report County Council work with children and 4 themed reports are A total of 4976 pupils took part in 35 and young people. Teachers were available to accompany this set of primary schools and 12 secondary informed on how to collect the district reports. schools in Hertfordshire. The wider most reliable data and then pupils Hertfordshire results are shown in completed a version of the brackets after each statement.

4976 young people were involved in the survey: TOPICS INCLUDE: East Herts Hertfordshire School Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Year Background Year 5 6 8 10 Total 5 6 8 10 Total Age 9-10 10-11 12-13 14-15 9-10 10-11 12-13 14-15 Healthy Eating Boys 28 39 ** ** 67 487 657 833 613 2590 Girls 34 27 ** ** 61 511 630 707 463 2311 Physical Activity Total 62 66 ** ** 128 998 1287 1577* 1114* 4976*

*75 pupils didn't tell us their gender. Drugs, Alcohol & Smoking Reference sample East Herts data have been compared with the wider Hertfordshire results. A Relationships & Sexual Health selection of some of the differences, where the level seen in the East Herts data is significantly different to that seen in the wider Hertfordshire data, are listed on pages 3 and 5 of this report. A separate report compares the entire Emotional Health & Wellbeing Hertfordshire data with the SHEU wider database. Confidence intervals (at 95%) for East Herts data are, at worst, primary ±8.7 Safety **NB. An insufficient sample of secondary aged pupils was available this year in East Herts so these have been suppressed/replaced with overall Herts results where appropriate. School & Career For more details please contact SHEU Tel. (01392 667272) or visit the website www.sheu.org.uk Leisure & Money East Herts primary school DRUGS, ALCOHOL & SMOKING Drugs pupils in Year 5 and Year 6 � 80% (68%) of pupils reported that they would like their parents to talk to them about drugs while 43% (37%) said (ages 9 - 11) they would like it to come from their teachers. � 90% (69%) of pupils describe themselves as White. 78% � 15% (11%) say they are ‘fairly sure’ or ‘certain’ they know (62%) describe themselves as White British. 0% (11%) someone who uses drugs (not as medicines), in the area describe themselves as Asian, 4% (7%) describe themselves where they live. as Mixed and 3% (4%) describe themselves as Black. Alcohol � 75% (76%) of pupils live with their mother and father together; 12% (13%) live with one parent and 3% (5%) live � 11% (5%) of boys and ‘shared’ between both parents. 5% (2%) of girls said � 5% (3%) of primary pupils said that they had a physical that they drank an disability and 7% (6%) said they had a special educational alcoholic drink on at need or learning difficulty. least one day in the week before the HEALTHY EATING survey. � 2% (2%) had nothing to eat or drink for breakfast on the day of the survey. 88% (89%) had their breakfast at home. � 34% (41%) of pupils had cereal for breakfast, 11% (10%) � 74% (79%) of pupils say that they don’t drink alcohol. 0% had sugar-coated cereals and 34% (30%) toast or bread on (1%) of pupils reported that their parents ‘never’ or only the morning of the survey. ‘sometimes’ know if they drink alcohol. � Pupils were asked to identify, from a list, the foods which � 24% (18%) of pupils reported that their parents always they ate ‘on most days’. 71% (74%) of pupils said they have knew if they drank alcohol. fresh fruit and 72% (67%) said vegetables. 19% (22%) said crisps and 20% (19%) said sweets. � 3% (1%) of pupils drank beer or lager and 3% (1%) said � 48% (44%) of pupils said that they ‘rarely or never’ ate fish wine/champagne in the week before the survey. or fish fingers. 27% (27%) said they ‘rarely or never’ had Smoking salads. � 98% (99%) of pupils said they have never smoked a � 38% (36%) of pupils had eaten 5 or more portions of fruit cigarette. and vegetables on the day before the survey, 7% (5%) had eaten none. � 1% (1%) of boys and 2% (1%) of girls said they had tried smoking in the past or smoke now. � 52% (50%) drank between 1 and 5 cups of water on the day before the survey, 46% (48%) said they drank a litre or � 2% (2%) of pupils said that they have used an e-cigarette. more while 2% (2%) said they drank none. � 29% (25%) of pupils said their parents/carers smoke. 9% Dental Care (5%) of pupils report that people smoke indoors at home in rooms that they use and 6% (5%) said people smoke in a � 80% (85%) of pupils reported that they cleaned their teeth car when they are in it. at least twice on the day before the survey (the recommended frequency). 2% (1%) said they did not clean � 33% (27%) of pupils said that, in their home, smoking only their teeth at all the day before the survey. happens outside or in certain rooms. 1% (1%) say that � 77% (77%) of pupils had visited the dentist in the past 6 smokers can smoke anywhere. months. 2% (2%) of pupils said they have never been to the dentist. PUBERTY & GROWING UP � When asked who the pupils would like to talk to them PHYSICAL ACTIVITY about growing up and body changes, the responses from a � 87% (85%) of pupils reported that list are ranked below: they enjoyed physical activities Boys Girls ‘quite a lot’ or ‘a lot’. Parents/carers 76% Parents/carers 91% � 92% (91%) said they find it Doctor 35% Doctor 30% ‘quite easy’ or ‘very easy’ to be as physically active as they Teachers 15% Teachers 19% like at playtimes. 0% (2%) find School Nurse 11% School Nurse 7% it ‘not at all easy’. Visitors in lessons 5% Visitors in lessons 4% � 69% (76%) reported that they had exercised three times or more, in the last week, which made them breathe harder � 15% (22%) of boys and 30% (28%) of girls reported that and faster. 39% (42%) said five times or more. they worried ‘quite often’ or ‘very often’ about the way they � The top four physical activities were: looked. 18% (20%) of boys and 36% (26%) of girls said they worried ‘quite often’ or ‘very often’ about growing up. Boys Girls � 67% (64%) feel that they know enough, 21% (27%) are not Running for exercise 81% Running for exercise 70% sure and 11% (9%) say they don’t know enough about how Football 72% Dancing/gymnastics 61% their body changes as they get older. Going for walks 63% Going for walks 59% Keep-fit 60% Swimming 52% (The table shows the percentage of pupils taking part in physical activity at least weekly) 2 EMOTIONAL HEALTH & WELLBEING � 36% (46%) of boys and 51% (48%) of girls spent time doing homework on the evening before the survey. � 53% (45%) of boys � 97% (96%) of pupils said they had spent time and 39% (39%) of chatting/talking during playtimes (including dinner times). girls had high self- 92% (90%) said they played running/skipping/games of tag. esteem scores. � 72% (73%) of pupils said that in their school people with � 6% (6%) of pupils different backgrounds were valued. had low self-esteem � 78% (81%) said that their school encouraged everyone to scores. take part in decisions e.g. school council. � 66% (62%) said that their school encouraged them to contribute to community events. � 88% (84%) of pupils said they worried about at least one of the items listed in the questionnaire at least ‘quite often’. LEISURE & MONEY � The top 6 worries for Year 6 pupils were as follows: � After school yesterday, 72% (70%) of pupils spent time Boys Girls watching television. 48% (55%) played with friends, 51% War and terrorists 33% Death 59% (51%) played computer games and 43% (56%) read a book for pleasure. Death 31% War and terrorists 59% � 58% (54%) played sport on the evening before the survey. The environment 26% Moving on to 56% 56% (53%) used the Internet and 36% (35%) went to a secondary school club. Family 23% SATs/tests 56% � 38% (40%) of pupils said they read quietly at playtimes at Your health 23% Growing up 52% least sometimes while 73% (64%) said they are a SATs/tests 21% Family 44% playground pal/buddy. � When asked who they would like to talk to them about � The main items that pupils spent money on during the death, loss and sadness 93% (88%) said their parents/carers previous week were: and 79% (72%) said another family member; 64% (59%) Boys Girls said friend. Sweets, chocolate, etc 32% Sweets, chocolate, etc 28% SAFETYYING SAFE Computer games etc. 29% Books 23% Toys 15% Toys 23% � 6% (7%) of pupils reported that they felt afraid of going to school because of bullying ‘often’ or ‘very often’. 28% Fizzy drinks 15% Mobile phones 18% (26%) said ‘sometimes’ while 65% (67%) said ‘never’. � When asked if they had ever been bullied at school, 44% SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN (45%) of primary pupils said ‘yes’; 9% (8%) said this had THE EAST HERTS SAMPLE AND THE happened in the past 4 weeks. WIDER HERTFORDSHIRE 2018 SAMPLE � 83% (64%) think their school deals with bullying at least For most of the questions in the questionnaire, East Herts ‘quite well’ or was not a problem in their school. primary pupils give similar responses to the wider Herts data. � 17% (16%) of pupils said that they had been bullied when Some differences (more than 5%) include: they were not in school; 5% (3%) said it had happened in � 49% of East Herts primary pupils said that they have the past 4 weeks. tasted wine/champagne compared with 31% of the � 23% (22%) of pupils reported that they thought they were wider Hertfordshire sample. bullied because of the way they looked and 20% (15%) � 34% of East Herts primary pupils said that they have because of their size or weight. tasted beer or lager compared with 22% of the wider � 6% (8%) thought they were bullied because of their colour Hertfordshire sample. or race and 4% (6%) because of their religion or faith. � 91% of East Herts primary pupils agreed that they get the � 26% (27%) of pupils reported that an adult, who scared or chance to go to other schools/local sports centres to take made them upset, had approached them. 15% (15%) said part in sports compared with 74% of the wider they knew this person. Hertfordshire sample. � 11% (10%) of pupils said they told an adult straight away � 81% of East Herts primary pupils said that they have while 5% (8%) said they kept it to themselves. 1% (2%) told been in a sports competition at school since they have the police. been in their current class compared with 68% of the � 87% (89%) of pupils said that they have been taught how to wider Hertfordshire sample. keep safe while chatting online. � 65% of East Herts primary pupils said that their school � 30% (27%) of pupils said they use social networking sites deals with bullying ‘quite’ or ‘very’ well compared with like Facebook, Snapchat etc. 50% of the wider Hertfordshire sample. � 41% of East Herts primary pupils walked to school on SCHOOL the day of the survey compared with 55% of the wider Hertfordshire sample. � 95% (90%) of pupils think it is important to go to school � 80% of East Herts primary pupils would like their regularly. 93% (94%) of pupils parents/carers to talk to them about drugs compared with say that if they are away from 68% of the wider Hertfordshire sample. school for any reason, their � 35% of East Herts primary pupils would like their parents/carers always know. teachers to talk with them about death, loss and sadness in school lessons compared with 24% of the wider Hertfordshire sample. 3 Pyramid data: Questions ALCOHOL Have you had an alcoholic drink in the week before included in both the primary the survey? � 2% (3%) of the Year 6 pupils had an alcoholic drink in the and secondary versions of week before the survey. 8% of Year 8 and 30% of Year 10 the 2018 questionnaire pupils said the same. Cross-phase data The following is a selection of data relating to the set of questions found in the primary and secondary versions of the questionnaire. It is always interesting to see how young people change as they grow up. N.B. The secondary data shown is the wider Hertfordshire data as insufficient East Herts secondary data is available in 2018.

HEALTHY EATING Year 6 Year 8 Year 10 Five a day? � Secondary school pupils are less likely to say that they had ILLEGAL DRUGS at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables on the day before � 11% (9%) of Year 6 pupils said that they were ‘fairly sure’ the survey, compared with primary aged pupils. 36% or ‘certain’ that they knew someone personally who used (34%) of Year 6 pupils compared with 29% of Year 8 and drugs (not as medicines). 20% of Year 8 and 55% of Year 24% of Year 10 pupils. 10 school pupils said the same.

Year 6 Year 8 Year 10 Year 6 Year 8 Year 10

� Primary aged girls were less likely to report having nothing to eat or drink for breakfast: Year 6 girls 4% (3%); Year 8 EMOTIONAL HEALTH & WELLBEING girls 8% and Year 10 girls 14%. � There is little difference in pupils having crisps ‘on most Are you ever afraid of going to school because you days’ across the age groups. 17% (20%) of Year 6 pupils, may be bullied? 25% of Year 8 and 24% of Year 10 pupils said this. � 22% (28%) of Year 6 pupils said they felt afraid of going to school at least sometimes. Secondary figures are 26% in SMOKING Year 8 and 19% in Year 10. Did you smoke last week? � 0% (0%) of the Year 6 pupils smoked a cigarette in the week before the survey. 1% of Year 8 pupils and 6% of Year 10 pupils said the same.

Year 6 Year 8 Year 10 � When asked if they had ever been bullied at school, 32% (44%) of Year 6 pupils said they had. 44% said this in Year 8 and 41% in Year 10.

Year 6 Year 8 Year 10

� 98% (99%) of primary pupils said that they had ‘never smoked at all’. 86% of secondary pupils said the same. � 16% of secondary pupils said they had used an e-cigarette, 2% (2%) of primary pupils said the same.

4 How much do you worry about problems? � 9% (9%) of Year 6 pupils received a nasty or threatening text message in the month before the survey. 8% of Year 8 � 35% (35%) of Year 6 pupils said they worried about school pupils and 7% of Year 10 pupils said the same. tests ‘quite a lot’ or ‘a lot’, this rises to 53% of secondary pupils.

Year 6 Year 8 Year 10 Year 6 Year 8 Year 10 � 37% of secondary pupils worried about the way they PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES looked, only 26% (25%) said the same in the primary survey. What did you do after school? Self-esteem � 55% (56%) of primary-aged boys and 62% (53%) of � In East Herts, 55% (47%) of Year 6 pupils had high self- primary aged girls played sport last night. This compares esteem. Secondary wider data tells us that 40% of Year 8 with 54% of secondary aged boys and 46% of secondary- pupils and 40% of Year 10 pupils were in the highest self- aged girls. esteem category. BOYS

Primary Primary Secondary Secondary Boys Girls Boys Girls

Year 6 Year 8 Year 10 � 87% (85%) of primary pupils said that they enjoy physical activities ‘quite a lot’ or ‘a lot’. 75% of secondary pupils GIRLS said the same.

Primary Primary Secondary Secondary Year 6 Year 8 Year 10 Boys Girls Boys Girls

Internet safety � 92% (91%) of primary pupils said that they find it ‘quite � 91% (91%) of Year 6 pupils said they have been told how easy’ or ‘very easy’ to be as physically active as they like, to stay safe while chatting online, 87% of Year 8 and 87% 66% of secondary pupils said the same. of Year 10 pupils said the same.

Primary Primary Secondary Secondary Boys Girls Boys Girls Year 6 Year 8 Year 10

5 The Way Forward – over to you

This work was commissioned and co-ordinated by Public Health with Services for Children and Young People. We are grateful to the teachers, schools, and young people for their time and contributions to this survey. As a result of their work we have excellent data to be used by schools, as well as both statutory and voluntary agencies that support the health of young people in Hertfordshire. This work will inform action plans for joint working between and within organisations involved in improving the health and wellbeing of pupils in schools. The data will be included in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and will also support the County Health and Wellbeing strategy, Hertfordshire's Public Health strategy, the Young People's Substance Misuse Plan and the Sexual Health Improvement Plan.

Hertfordshire Schools who took part in the survey:

Hertfordshire primary Schools: Hertfordshire secondary Schools: Aboyne Lodge Junior Mixed and Infant School, Ashlyns School, Chessbrook ESC, Francis Combe Alban Wood Primary School and Nursery, Ashtree Academy, Hitchin Boys' School, Hitchin Girls' Primary School and Nursery, Bishop Wood CE School, , Roysia Middle Junior School, Tring, Boxmoor Primary School, School, , Sir John Lawes Camp Primary and Nursery School, Chater Junior School, St George's School, Stanborough School School, Crabtree Junior School, Featherstone and . Wood Primary School, Grange Junior School, Hammond Academy, Hertford St Andrew CE Primary School, High Beeches Primary School, Highover Junior Mixed and Infant School, Holywell Primary School, Homerswood Primary For more information about the survey and Nursery School, Kimpton Primary School, please contact: Laurance Haines School, Little Heath Primary Public Health Hertfordshire School, Maple Grove Primary School, Offley Endowed Primary School, Oxhey Wood Primary Hertfordshire County Council School, Prae Wood Primary School, Roysia Middle Email: [email protected] School, Springmead Primary School, St John Fisher RC Primary School, St Michael's Woolmer Green Tel: 01438 844088 CE VA Primary School, St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School, Tanners Wood Junior Mixed and Infant School, Templewood Primary School, The Holy Family Catholic Primary School, The Wroxham School, Watton-at-Stone Primary and Nursery School, Wood End School and Yorke Mead Primary School.