In SKOLELIV, we combine surveys of parents and guardians with geographical analyses of journeys to school and local environments. The aim is to learn more about how school journeys, local environments and school life relate to changes in school structure, so that municipalities gain better knowledge about what contributes to well-being, safe school journeys and good conditions for children and young people. The project starts as a pilot study in municipalities in Southern Norway and will lay the foundation for a future national study.
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Read more about what participation involves
Purpose
The purpose of SKOLELIV is to develop knowledge about how school settings, journeys to school, local environments and changes in school structure relate to children’s school lives, well-being, quality of life and active travel to and from school.
Project description
The project will investigate:
- how common it is for children to walk and cycle to and from school
- differences in school journeys and local environments between different groups of pupils
- links between the journey to school and choice of transport
- changes in parent-reported quality of life over time
- differences in quality of life between children in different school settings
- school life and travel habits for children with shared residence
The pilot study will also test and further develop the research design, questionnaires, geographical analyses and data collection solutions. The experience gained will form the basis for a future national study.
What is the background to the project?
Children’s school lives are shaped by the school environment, local environment, journey to school, social relationships and organisational factors at school. Changes in school structure and geographical accessibility can affect how children and families experience everyday life. However, we still know little about how these factors relate to changes in school journeys, well-being, quality of life and travel habits.
Previous research has largely examined the transition from primary to lower secondary school. Studies show that some children find such transitions challenging, while others experience new opportunities and positive changes. However, there is limited research on school mergers and other changes in school structure at primary school level.
In many municipalities, changes are taking place that may affect school journeys, school size and the school environment. Some pupils have to change schools and meet new teachers and classmates. Others remain at their school but receive new pupils and teachers into the existing school environment. New or larger schools may also provide access to different facilities, learning environments and social communities.
SKOLELIV will contribute knowledge about how different school settings and changes in school life relate to children’s well-being, journeys to school, quality of life and active travel.
What do we study?
Parents and guardians answer questions about:
- some background information about the child and family
- travel habits and active travel
- the child’s well-being and quality of life
- school life and the school environment
- social relationships
- leisure activities
The journey to school is mapped using geographical information systems and map data. For parents and guardians who consent to participate, the project obtains the child’s home address from the school. The address is used only to calculate the distance to school and geographical characteristics along the school route. The home address is not included in the dataset used for the statistical analyses.
The geographical analyses will examine:
- distance between home and school
- changes in the journey to school resulting from changes in school structure
- traffic safety along the school route, including traffic volume, speed limits, crossing points and pedestrian crossings
- accessibility to the school, including walking and cycling networks, public transport and connections to the school
- opportunities for active travel, such as walking and cycling to and from school
- proximity to green spaces, playgrounds, sports facilities and other important destinations in the local environment
- geographical differences between school areas and local environments
- links between the built environment and children’s travel habits
Who do we study?
The project includes a broad survey of parents and guardians of primary school children. Information about the children is obtained through their parents and guardians. The children do not complete the questionnaire themselves.
In parts of the project, we compare three groups:
- Children who change schools: Children who start at a new school as a result of changes in school structure.
- Children at receiving schools: Children who already attend a school that receives new pupils as a result of changes in school structure.
- Comparison group: Children who do not experience major changes in their school lives during the same period.
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By following the groups over time, we can examine whether the development of school journeys, travel habits, school environment, well-being and quality of life varies between different school settings.
How is the study carried out?
SKOLELIV is a longitudinal study. Parents and guardians are invited to complete the questionnaire at two points in time, about one year apart. The child’s home address is also obtained and used to study the local environment and journey to school.
Linking the two data collections makes it possible to examine how school life, travel habits, well-being and quality of life develop from the first survey to the follow-up.
Why is the project important?
SKOLELIV will provide municipalities, schools and research communities with new knowledge about how children’s school lives relate to the school environment, journeys to school, local environments and geographical factors.
The results can be used for:
- planning and evaluation of school structure
- development of safe school journeys and local environments
- measures that promote active travel to and from school
- further development of the school and learning environment
- municipal planning for children and young people and public health
- further research and development of national studies
The project is designed to place as little burden as possible on schools. For participating schools, the project mainly involves distributing information to parents and guardians and allowing the researchers to provide information about the project.
No questionnaire data are collected directly from pupils, and the project does not require extensive work from teachers.
Pilot study in Southern Norway
The pilot study is being carried out from 2026 in municipalities in Southern Norway. In one of the pilot municipalities, parents and guardians of all primary school children are invited to complete the same survey. In another municipality, parents and guardians at schools affected by changes in school structure are invited to participate.
This provides a broad dataset covering:
- different geographical areas
- different school settings
- different social and demographic groups
- different travel habits
The way forward
After the pilot study, the aim is to develop SKOLELIV into a national study. Experience from the pilot project will be used to further develop the methods, establish collaboration with municipalities and research communities, and form the basis for applications for external funding.
Timeline
Spring 2026
The pilot study is developed in Agder. Municipalities and schools are recruited, and the questionnaire, research design and data collection solutions are finalised.
Autumn 2026
The first survey is carried out among parents and guardians in participating municipalities. School journeys and local environments are mapped using geographical information systems and map data.
Autumn 2027
Parents and guardians are invited to a follow-up survey about one year after the first data collection. Data from the two time points are linked, and analyses and further method development begin.
Spring 2028
The first master’s theses and scientific publications are completed. The research design and methods are further developed based on experience from the pilot study.
Autumn 2028
Applications for external funding are developed and collaborations are established with a view to scaling up the project nationally.
2028 to 2035
SKOLELIV is further developed as a national research platform for studies of children’s school lives, journeys to school, local environments and quality of life. Collaboration with municipalities and research communities across Norway, several sub-studies and the recruitment of PhD research fellows are planned.
Results
The pilot study starts in autumn 2026, so no results are available yet.
The first master’s theses and scientific publications are expected from 2027 and 2028. Results will be communicated through:
- scientific articles
- master’s theses
- reports to collaborating municipalities
- academic presentations and conferences
- popular science communication
Municipalities will receive results at aggregate level. No individual child, parent, guardian or family will be identifiable in reports or publications.
Partners
The pilot project is being carried out in collaboration with:
- Arendal Municipality
- Kristiansand Municipality
- KSF Sør
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- National Centre of Expertise for Child Health Clinics and School Health Services
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences
The project works closely with the municipalities throughout planning, implementation and dissemination.
As part of a national expansion, the project aims to collaborate with municipalities from several parts of Norway and with the KSF regions South, West, East, Central and North.
