The information on this page relates to surveys undertaken in the 2023/24 academic year. Since then, (in March 2026)  our Impact Monitor has done further work with our current participants to evaluate the ongoing impact of our programme. The findings of this research can be found in the Impact Report 2026.

Over the course of the 2023/2024 school year All Aboard Youth Rowing  worked with 36 state schools across the North-West of England to deliver a year long rowing programme to 400 Young People of whom 90% are on the pupil premium register. The programme isn’t just about the rowing and is designed to improve the overall confidence, resilience and wellbeing of the scheme participants. On 26th June 2024 a Regatta was held for all schools who took part in the programme. The Regatta was a celebration of the progress made by Young People over the course of the year. At the events online surveys were carried out with the Young People who had taken part and the Lead member of staff from each school. You can see a summary of the results of that survey below.

You can read some:

Student Survey

Taking part in rowing has made me happier?

71% of respondents said that taking part in rowing had definitely made them happier, 27% said their happiness had improved a little bit and 2% answered not at all.

Taking part in rowing has improved my confidence?

56% said rowing definitely improved their confidence, 40% said their confidence had improved a little bit and 4% said not at all

I’ve made friends with people in my rowing group?

64% said that rowing had definitely increased their friendships, 29% saying that their friendships had improved a little bit and 7% not at all

I feel fitter and more active because I do rowing

60% said that rowing had definitely made them feel fitter, 38% said they felt a little bit fitter and 2% not at all

Doing rowing has helped other parts of my school life?

34% said that rowing had definitely helped other parts of their school life, 53% said a little bit and 13% said not at all

I’m more proud of myself because I do rowing?

71% said that rowing had definitely made them feel more proud, 27% said a little bit and 2% not at all

Children Celebrating
Pupil Comments

“I love rowing it’s so cool I would like to join the club in the future.”

“I have built great relationships with my rowing group and the boys as well. I think rowing has been a great activity overall.”

“I like the coaches Libby and Claire because they really help us in our rowing and helping us do our best and do all we can to win and improve our confidence.”

“I really enjoy rowing it’s very therapeutic and I find it very fun!“

“I enjoyed the rowing that we did, If I had the chance I would do it next year! I just wish that there would have been more of a variety to what we did, like going in a single or playing different games in the boats. Other than that, it was really good!”

“It’s wonderful and the coaches are great, I love it.”

“Amazing opportunity and great experience which helped me face fears of deep water.”

“I have built great relationships with my rowing group and the boys as well. I think rowing has been a great activity overall.”

“I’ve really enjoyed rowing, up until this point I wasn’t really interested in sport. I feel good once I’ve been, I wish this would be something that continues into year 9.”

School Lead Survey

The rowing programme has increased the confidence of the Youth People

79% of school staff strongly agreed with this statement and 21% agreed

The rowing programme has increased the resilience of the Young People

50% of school staff strongly agreed with this statement and 50% agreed

The rowing programme has improved the mental health of the Young People

43% of school staff strongly agreed that the programme had improved the mental health of Young People and 57% agreed

The rowing programme has positively impacted Young People in other elements of their school life

36% strongly agreed with this statement, 57% agreed 1 respondent neither agreed nor disagreed

The rowing programme has made those who attend more active in their day to day lives

36% strongly agreed with this statement, 57% agreed 1 respondent neither agreed nor disagreed

AAYR having lunch
School Lead Comments

“The programme has given the students a great benefit to express themselves in a sport they would probably never even think of participating in.”

“The programme is a huge success that provides a group of students with an outstanding opportunity to learn new skills and develop important life skills. The impact has a positive outcome on their school, home and social life.”

“O regularly truanted lessons last year. Since starting rowing, he attends most of his lessons because he enjoys working with Kevin and Helen.”

“Participating in the Rowing program has had a transformative impact on one young person in the group. They have developed remarkable discipline and a strong sense of teamwork. The physical and mental challenges of rowing have significantly boosted their self-confidence, leading to improved performance in both academic and social settings. This experience has opened new opportunities for personal growth and future ambitions.”

“Overall, the Rowing program has been highly beneficial. It promotes physical fitness, instils discipline, and fosters teamwork among participants. The program’s challenges help build resilience and self-confidence, while also offering a sense of community and camaraderie.”

“I think it’s a brilliant opportunity for students to be exposed to a sport that they would otherwise be unlikely to take part in and to also give then the opportunity to work towards end goals in terms of competitions. There is also excellent club links and the opportunity for students to pursue and progress within the sport if this is something they are interested in doing. It also teaches them many life skills in addition to increasing their knowledge and technique in rowing.”

“Excellent, coaches providing something completely new. Coaches excellent at engaging the pupils making it fun but also very informative with key terminology and teaching points”

“Really worthwhile for the students. The physical and mental resilience it develops is 2nd to none. Great for team building. Students really look forward to the weekly sessions.”

“J has fully integrated into the programme and is benefiting both physically and mentally from the experience. She signed up to the summer school and I think the initiative will have made life changing impact on her!”

“One girl in the group gas shown increased confidence and communication skills. At first, she was very shy with the other girls and in taking part in the activities. It is so nice to see her smiling and laughing as well as demonstrating confidence in all aspects of her rowing. It has also had a positive impact on her physical ability and fitness”

“The rowing programme has had a significant impact on all students but in particular one student who suffered with low self-esteem, confidence and struggled with anxiety at school. After taking part in the programme for the academic year the student has experience a range of opportunities and successes that has improved their confidence, self-esteem and their anxieties. The programme has developed their understanding of sport with a different opportunity and perspective. It has developed her technical and leadership skills. This has had a huge positive impact on this students’ school and social life.”

“One student achieved beyond anything he imagined he could”

Stories
Iffy
Iffy

In 2017, I had my first encounter with rowing when my high school joined the All Aboard Youth Rowing scheme.  This was the first time I’d heard of the sport and  the local club that I would spend huge amounts of my time at for the next 7 years.

On Monday mornings, myself and my other school peers would spend 2 hours learning the ropes of rowing out on the Mersey, it was this 2 hour time slot that I’d always look forward to.

Ruby

In 2021, I first started getting involved with All Aboard Youth Rowing through my high school. I knew what the idea of rowing was but had never been involved. When starting I gained an interest straight away and joined the club that I now spend a lot of my time at 4 years later.