Teacher Surveys

Quick guide to running teacher surveys

Collecting constructive feedback from teachers is a pivotal component of any school's improvement strategy, offering insights into both their own experiences and those of the pupils they teach, the staff they work with, and the parents they engage with.

Teachers are on the frontline, after all; they have unparalleled insights into what's working and what needs improving. Running surveys can be an invaluable tool in harnessing these insights systematically. This guide aims to shed light on why and how to use school surveys for gathering feedback from teachers.

Why use surveys for teacher feedback?

Speed and efficiency

Gathering feedback by way of online surveys provides a distinct advantage in terms of speed. It's possible to distribute a survey to the entire teaching staff in just a matter of minutes. This immediacy allows you to capture feedback while experiences and impressions are still fresh. Moreover, modern survey platforms like SmartSurvey offer real-time analysis, enabling you to act on the feedback swiftly.

Anonymity

Let's face it; not everyone feels comfortable voicing their thoughts in an open forum. Surveys can be set up to offer respondents anonymity, thereby encouraging frank and candid feedback. Teachers are more likely to share genuine concerns and observations when they know their identity won't be disclosed.

Versatility

When you opt for surveys, you're not confined to a single format or set of questions. Whether it's multiple-choice questions for quick answers or open-ended questions for detailed insights, the flexibility is there. Customising your survey for the specific type of feedback you're after is straightforward.

Creating your teacher feedback survey

Define your objectives

Before you start creating your survey, pause to outline what you want to accomplish. Is the survey meant to gauge teacher satisfaction, get a read on the effectiveness of new educational tools, or perhaps scrutinise the latest curriculum changes? Having a clear set of objectives will guide the rest of your survey development process.

Choose the right questions

When formulating your questions, clarity and neutrality are paramount. While multiple-choice and scale questions can yield quantifiable data, open-ended questions give teachers the space to express themselves more fully. Take care to avoid loaded or leading questions that might skew the data.

Design and layout

A survey that is easy on the eyes and simple to navigate is far more likely to be completed. Even a supremely well-crafted set of questions won't yield much if the survey feels like a chore to take. Thankfully, online survey tools offer a range of design options, making it straightforward to put together a professional-looking survey.

Distributing the survey

Choose the appropriate channel

How you distribute your survey can significantly impact its success. While email is the most commonly used medium, platforms like the school's internal portal or even offline might sometimes be more effective. Assess the pros and cons of each channel in light of your particular objectives.

Timing matters

The timing of your survey is another crucial element. Opt for periods when teachers are less swamped. Ongoing feedback is valuable, but be mindful of survey fatigue. Bombarding teachers with too many surveys can dilute the quality of the feedback you receive.

Analysing and interpreting the results

Data collection

Once the survey is published, you'll need a reliable method for collecting the responses. Modern survey platforms like SmartSurvey offer integrated solutions, simplifying this aspect of the process.

Data analysis

Sift through the data carefully. While initial impressions can be telling, the real gold often lies in the nuances and patterns that emerge upon closer inspection. Whether you're dealing with quantifiable metrics or qualitative insights, aim to identify recurring themes or outlier opinions that deserve further scrutiny.

Reporting and feedback loop

Feedback that isn't acted upon is as good as no feedback at all. Make it a point to share the findings with stakeholders. Develop an action plan based on the feedback and share this information with teaching staff to demonstrate that their input truly matters.

Legal and ethical considerations

Data protection

Given the sensitive nature of feedback, complying with data protection laws such as GDPR is non-negotiable. Make sure your survey platform is compliant, and store any collected data securely.

Informed consent

Before teachers participate in your survey, they must be adequately informed about its purpose and how their data will be used. Consent is not just a legal requirement; it's an ethical one.

Wrapping up

Surveys can be an incredibly potent tool for collecting feedback from teachers. Done correctly, they offer a quick, anonymous, and versatile method for gathering valuable insights. From formulating your objectives to distributing the survey and analysing the results, each step in the process serves to refine and improve practices in education.

Example teacher survey questions

When crafting a survey for teachers, it's useful to mix question types to capture the depth and breadth of their experiences. Multiple choice questions offer a set of predefined answers, giving us clear-cut data and easy analysis. Likert scale questions measure the intensity of feelings on a scale, typically from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree', and are great for gauging attitudes. Open questions allow free text responses, giving teachers the freedom to express thoughts in their own words, often yielding richer, more nuanced insights.

Here are 10 example survey questions incorporating these different types:

Multiple choice

Which age group do you primarily teach?

• Primary
• Secondary
• Sixth Form/College
• Adult Education

How often do you integrate technology into your lessons?

• Every lesson
• Most lessons
• Some lessons
• Rarely
• Never

How do you typically communicate with parents?

• Email
• Phone calls
• In-person meetings
• Online platforms
• I do not communicate directly with parents

Likert scale

To what extent do you feel the current curriculum meets the needs of your students?

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

How supported do you feel by the school's administration?

• Very supported
• Moderately supported
• Neutral
• Moderately unsupported
• Very unsupported

How adequate are the resources (books, materials, technology) provided to you for teaching?

• Extremely adequate
• Adequate
• Neither adequate nor inadequate
• Inadequate
• Extremely inadequate

Open questions

What strategies do you find most effective for engaging students with diverse learning needs?

In what areas would you like to receive more professional development?

Can you describe a recent success story from your teaching experience?

Please share any concerns you have about classroom management and how you've been addressing them.