Growing up in the 2020s

Welcome to Growing Up in the 2020s - an important new research study which follows young people in England as they go through secondary school, and beyond. Participating families and schools will contribute to research looking at the experiences of young people in home and school environments and will help influence the future development of schools and other services for young people and their families.

On this website, you can find more information about the study including answers to common queries, what the study involves, what to expect next, and contact details if you need our support.

Group of people doing different activities such as sport and reading

The study has been commissioned and funded by the Department for Education (DfE). By following the same group of young people and their families for a number of years, the study aims to understand how young people's school, home life and relationships shape their future education, development and outcomes. We intend to interview families each year as the young people move through secondary school, and possibly beyond. We also intend to collect information from schools and teachers to form a more detailed picture for what life is like for young people in school as well as at home.

The study is being carried out by the National Centre for Social research (NatCen), the largest independent social research organisation in Britain. We work in collaboration with the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) and the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER).

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for details about what’s involved.

Related studies

Growing Up in the 2020s is part of an exciting series of national studies funded by the Department for Education (DfE), about different stages of childhood and adolescence, from birth through to young adulthood. By following children and their families over time, the studies aim to understand how young people’s experiences throughout the early years, primary school and secondary school impact their experiences and outcomes as they grow older.

Children of the 2020s

Children of the 2020s is a national research study focusing on the development of children born in England in the early 2020s over the course of their first five years of life. For more information, visit the UCL website.

Five to Twelve

Five to Twelve is a national research study following children who attend primary school in England in the 2020s. For more information, visit the NatCen website.