“I Really Want to Decide”: Norwegian and Estonian Primary and Secondary School Pupils' Participation in Decision-Making in School-Based Physical Activity

Abstract

This study explores how Norwegian and Estonian primary and secondary school pupils experienced participation in decision-making within the context of school-based physical activity. A sample of thirty-eight pupils, aged ten to fifteen years, participated in nine focus groups. Drawing on Hart's ladder of participation combined with Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis, the analysis presents five themes. Findings revealed a discrepancy between how pupils expressed their views in decision-making in school-based physical activity and how they perceived teachers' response to these expressions. It is suggested that future school-based physical activity programmes should enable all pupils to co-decide and participate fully.