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Using pupil questionnaires: guidance and examples

Use questionnaires to involve pupils in decision-making and monitor how effectively your school is meeting their needs. Find guidance on how to use them well and see examples from schools.

Last reviewed on 14 August 2024
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 5394
Contents
  1. How to use pupil surveys
  2. Decide whether a survey is the best option
  3. Keep your involvement strategic
  4. Adapt our template teaching and learning questionnaires 
  5. See a school example 

How to use pupil surveys

Help you involve pupils in decisions

Schools should consider the views of pupils in decision-making. This is often called 'pupil voice'.

Use pupil voice to:

  • Support your consideration of a specific decision – for example, new playground equipment
  • Understand pupils' opinions about the school as a whole, which will help you with your strategic vision

Listening and responding to pupil's views is part of the features of effective governance in the maintained schools governance guide (section 1.2) and the academy trust governance guide (section 1.2).

Provide data to inform your monitoring

Surveys can help you monitor areas that really impact on pupils' experiences of life in your school, such as teaching and learning, your school's approach to behaviour or your equality objectives.

They'll also help you to assess whether your school