School Staff Surveys

Quick guide to using surveys for school staff feedback

The education journey isn't just about pupils, it's influenced by teachers, the various support staff, and all those running the show behind the scenes. So, it's only logical that we'd want to tap into their perspectives too.

Surveys are a practical tool for gauging sentiment, tracking performance, and driving meaningful change. A well-executed survey is invaluable for figuring out what's working and what's not with your staff. Follow these pointers to ensure that your own research gathers the insights you need.

Understand your objectives

Define your goals

Before drafting your first question, you need to get crystal clear on your objectives. Are you looking to gauge the effectiveness of a recent staff training programme, or are you more interested in daily operational aspects like communication channels? Whatever your aim, defining it from the outset gives you a framework that makes the subsequent steps far more straightforward.

Identify your target audience

Not all staff members have the same concerns or perspectives. Hence, it's crucial to identify the specific groups you wish to hear from. Are you focusing on teaching staff, administrative staff, or perhaps a mix of both? Because you need to tailor the survey to the specific people who will take it.

Create your survey

Choose the right platform

You're spoiled for choice these days when it comes to platforms—everything from web-based solutions to good old-fashioned paper surveys. Web-based platforms like SmartSurvey offer the advantage of easy data collation and analysis.

Design your questionnaire

The kinds of questions you opt for can significantly influence the quality of your feedback. Quick and clear insights? You'll get those from multiple-choice and Likert scale questions. But if you want detailed, nuanced feedback, go for open-ended ones. Regardless of the type, clarity and neutrality in phrasing your questions are essential to avoid bias.

Pilot the survey

Once you've created your perfect survey, don't roll it out quite yet. Pilot your survey first, preferably with a small yet diverse subset of your target audience. Running a preliminary test on your survey lets you catch any hiccups, giving you the chance to tweak it before rolling out.

Distribute your survey

Timing and accessibility

As they say, timing is everything. Aim for periods when staff members are less swamped with work to increase participation rates. And don't forget, whether it's a desktop computer in the staff room or a mobile device during break time, your survey needs to be accessible when and where your staff can complete it.

Anonymity and confidentiality

People are more likely to respond honestly when they feel their privacy is respected. Assure your respondents that their inputs will be anonymous and that you'll handle their data with the utmost confidentiality.

Analyse the results

Data analysis tools

Once you've collected your data, the real work begins. You'll want to identify patterns in your data, spot positive and negative opinion, and surface meaningful insight. Thankfully, modern survey platforms like SmartSurvey come equipped with built-in analysis tools, ranging from trend charts to full dashboards and sentiment analysis.

Making sense of qualitative feedback

Quantitative data may offer the 'what,' but qualitative data provides the 'why.' Open-ended responses can be a goldmine of insights if handled well. You can sift through these responses, bundle them into groups, and spot repeating patterns to fully understand how staff members feel.

Implement changes

Actionable insights

Numbers and charts are your starting point, but what's the next step? Now you need to make a plan to use what you've uncovered, assign who's going to do what, and create a timeline for action.

Communicate findings and actions

The loop isn't closed until you've communicated back to the staff. Whether it's a formal report, an informal chat, or a staff meeting, sharing the survey's outcomes—and your action plan—goes a long way in building trust and encouraging future participation.

Wrapping up

School surveys are more than just questionnaires; they're tools for change. If executed correctly, they can provide invaluable insights that can transform the very fabric of your school environment. So go ahead, ask away, and let the transformative power of feedback shape a better future for your educational institution.

Example school staff survey questions

In crafting a survey for school staff, it's pivotal to utilise an assortment of question types to draw out nuanced responses. Multiple choice questions allow for quick, structured feedback and are easy to analyse, offering a snapshot of popular opinion. Likert scale questions gauge the intensity of feelings about a given statement, giving a temperature check on attitudes. Open-ended questions invite respondents to provide more detailed input, offering a wealth of qualitative data; by allowing for unrestricted commentary, they can often unearth insights that pre-set options might miss.

Here are ten example questions that could be incorporated into a school staff survey, each designed to probe a different aspect of the school's ecosystem. These questions are designed to be clear yet comprehensive, each serving as a stepping stone towards a deeper understanding of staff experiences and opinions. The varied question types will provide a rich set of data, conducive to both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Multiple choice

Which of the following best describes your role at the school?

• Teacher
• Teaching assistant
•  Administrative staff
•  Support staff
•  Management

How would you rate your current work-life balance?

• Excellent
• Good
• Average
• Poor
• Very poor

How often do you utilise the school's wellbeing resources?

• Very frequently
• Occasionally
• Rarely
• Never
• I wasn't aware of these resources

Likert scale

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: “I have access to sufficient professional development opportunities”?

• Strongly agree
• Agree
• Neither agree nor disagree
• Disagree
• Strongly disagree

How supported do you feel by the school's administrative staff?

• Always supported
• Usually supported
• Sometimes supported
• Rarely supported
• Never supported

Rate your agreement with this statement: “The school leadership regularly acknowledges and rewards staff achievements”.

• Strongly agree
• Agree
• Neither agree nor disagree
• Disagree
• Strongly disagree

Open questions

What changes, if any, could be made to the school's professional development programmes to better meet your needs?

What are your thoughts on the current state of teamwork within your department?

Please describe any particular successes or challenges you've experienced with inter-departmental communication this term.

Can you provide feedback on a recent situation where school policies directly impacted your work?