Thanks to Jackie Beard, Gulshan Kayembe, Vicky Redding, and Fred Birkett, our associate education experts, for their help writing this article.
Listen to 'pupil voice' on your visits
School visits are an important part of your monitoring role. They give you an opportunity to shine a light on the 'pupil voice' and find out about their school experiences.
Broadly, there are 2 types of visits you might make:
- Formal monitoring visits are where you discuss the progress of the school in a particular area with the relevant staff member
- Learning walks are where you'll go around the school with the relevant staff member to get a feel for a particular area. You're likely to talk to a range of staff members and pupils
Use the questions below to help you ask the right questions during monitoring visits and learning walks.
Together with staff feedback and parents' feedback, you'll get a 360-degree view of your school.
For more on making your visit as effective as possible, read our how-to guide and download our report template. Or, if you're the chair, read our chair’s guide.
How to talk to pupils during learning walks
Talking to children at their desks can be a lot of fun and give you a snapshot of what's happening in that moment.
However:
- Keep it short and sweet so as not to create a distraction
- Keep it focused on the current lesson – the children are in the middle of their learning
- Be discreet, you don't want to disrupt other pupils, who will naturally be curious about what you're up to
Do ask pupils:
- What are you learning in this lesson?
- What do you like most/least about this subject?
- Can you show me some feedback you've been given in your book?
- Are you learning anything new in this lesson?
- How hard are you working right now?
- What do you do if you need help?
Don't ask for their:
- Views on a teacher
- Personal information
Check out our tips on when and how to look at pupils' work if you're planning to do this as part of a visit, too.
How to arrange pupil panels for a monitoring visit
If you need to take a deep dive into pupil attitudes about specific topics, ask the the relevant staff member to arrange for you to meet with a small groups of pupils. 4 or 5 is ideal, as it gives everyone the chance to speak and be heard. Meet with older and younger pupils separately.
When planning
- Be clear with the teacher about what it is you're monitoring
- Discuss and agree with them what you'll be asking pupils (use the questions below to help you)
- Ask the teacher to choose the right group for you. For example:
- If accessibility is a concern or a target for improvement, make sure you're meeting with the pupils who are affected by accessibility issues
- Pupils who won't be too shy to express themselves
- Don't do this during playtime or lunchtime, as they'll be less focused
- Choose a comfortable setting, like in the library
- Allow 20 to 30 minutes per group
- Arrange to have a member of staff available to take notes for you if taking notes yourself will be too distracting
- Be prepared to share feedback with the teacher and headteacher before reporting back to the governing board
Lay down the ground rules with the pupils
Explain who you are, what the discussion is about, and why you're interested in their input. Reassure pupils that the purpose of this isn't to report back to the headteacher on what teachers they don't like or what lessons they find boring.
Use the pupils' names to build rapport and explain that they:
- Should be honest, because their feedback can help the school get better
- Should put their hands up if they wish to speak and listen to each other without interrupting
- Shouldn't mention anyone by name – neither teachers nor other pupils
Questions to ask pupil panels
- The questions below aren't exhaustive, nor are they meant to be used as a checklist
- Think carefully about what you're trying to find out and only ask those questions that will get you the answers you need
- Adapt the questions to the age of the pupils you're speaking to and the context of your school
- Keep in mind that you're not looking for any specific answers, you're out there to get a sense of how pupils experience your school
Primary concern | Questions to ask |
School environment |
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Accessibility |
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Teaching and learning |
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Behaviour |
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Safeguarding |
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The school day |
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Exam preparation (secondary) |
|