Methodology

The questionnaires are generally administered in schools (or groups of schools) to all pupils (or a minimum random and representative sample of 300 pupils). The standard secondary pupil survey is usually conducted on-line (but can be conducted by means of a hard copy (paper) questionnaire where pupils’ responses and their free text comments are gathered by means of an optical mark reader (OMR) answer sheet. The materials for conducting the surveys and detailed instructions for the administration of the questionnaires are prepared and distributed by EdSRS.  Completed materials are returned to Keele for analysis.)​

Schools are offered the opportunity to replace the last 15 questions on the standard secondary pupil questionnaire (on pupil well-being) with either bespoke questions (created in collaboration with the school) or chosen from existing sets (e.g on a particular curriculum area).

Education Survey & Research Service

The Pupil Survey

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The secondary pupil survey focuses on the views of pupils about the experiences they receive in schools; their perceptions of the quality of those experiences, their relationship with teachers and peers, their awareness of their parents/carers’ support for their education, and the degree to which they are prepared to commit themselves to the school’s purposes. It examines the way in which pupil attitude varies according to their age and gender.  (Additional analysis, e.g. by pupil premium, can also be undertaken.)

Outcomes

An electronic survey report is provided for each school (usually within three days of closing the online survey). This report provides information which enables schools to compare the attitudes of boys and girls, and the responses of different year groups, against a national database. The report also provides a tabulated summary of findings allowing schools to compare their own performance longitudinally.

Each report includes:

• an executive summary
  
• a discussion of the analysis findings which compares a school’s findings to either Keele EdSRS database averages or findings from a previous survey. The report also relates the school's findings to Ofsted's guidance on developing an effective school self-evaluation summary
  
• the data analysis tabulated by year and gender groups
• comparative data in diagrammatic form
  
• a transcript of free text comments made by pupils (standard version only). (All comments are included in this transcript although minor amendments are made to maintain confidentiality and protect individuals from identification)
• summaries of the school's findings, where available, providing comparisons with previous Keele surveys at the school.

I think this questionnaire is a very good idea because it gives pupils a chance to express their thoughts more easily and thoroughly about what we think of the school in general. (Y9 Female)

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I think this sheet is interesting; I could express my feelings but no-one knows who I am so I can tell the truth. (Y10 Male)

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I love the way that our school offers us opportunities to voice our opinions and I hope that continues. (Y10 Female)

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This survey is a good one because it asks you what no one else would.  I hope the school will benefit from it and I hope other schools do as well. (Y10 Male)

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The idea for this survey is brilliant and hopefully the school will take on board what we have said. (Y11 Female)

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I enjoyed completing your survey and am most pleased that pupils’ values are taken into account.  I believe the school can learn and improve from these questionnaires, to become one of the great schools in the country. (Y11 Male)

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The standard secondary pupil questionnaire consists of 80 questions which are completed in the school by all year groups (including any sixth form students) and then analysed by EdSRS both individually and in clusters. The broad areas of school life in which questions are grouped are as follows:

• The level of satisfaction with the school experience (e.g. Are you usually happy at school?) 
• The quality of pupil/teacher relationships (e.g. Do the teachers really listen to what you have to say?)
• The perceived extent of parental support for pupil learning (e.g. Do your parents help and advise you with your schoolwork?)
• The influence of the peer group (e.g. Do other pupils make fun of people who work hard?)
• The level of pupils’ commitment to learning (e.g. Do you work as hard as you can in school?)
• Pupil well-being (e.g. Do you agree that this school encourages pupils to adopt healthier lifestyles?)
  

Additional questions are included which relate to:

• the amount of homework children do
• study support and extra-curricular activities
• pupils’ perception of their own academic ability
• standards of behaviour
  
• levels of attendance.
  

 I think this test is a good thing because it may improve school life.  I want school life to be improved and hopefully it will with this test.  (Y9 Male)

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I think you should have more of these things so you can think of what you want to change in the school. (Y8 Female)

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This questionnaire is a good way to get the pupils’ views across anonymously (Year 10 Female)

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There should be constant surveys like this once every term to check for school improvements. (Year 8 Male)

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We should be asked our opinion more often.  (Y8 Female)

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This survey really made me feel sort of nice telling people about how I feel towards school and what goes on during the school hours. (Y8 Female)

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I feel it was not only useful to you for your survey but it was useful to me.  It made me look at my school life and think about it more than I would usually.  (Year 9 Male)