Better Balance Education
Staff Surveys
Staff surveys have a bit of a bad name amongst leaders, often for good reason. They tend to lead to an opportunity for negativity, with leaders left feeling bad, or scratching their heads wondering what to do with the results. Staff surveys often deal with perception around an area of school life and, as we all know, perception is not always accurate.
Over the last two years, we have honed our surveys in a number of schools in a way that is not only genuinely helpful, but can also be used as a key driver for school improvement. It ties in to our fundamental belief that well motivated staff are a school's best resource. All of our surveys are bespoke to the school and designed with you.
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We believe the fundamentals of a good survey are that they are honest, helpful, valued and help to drive improvement.
Honest
People need to be open and honest in staff surveys. They are not going to do that if they believe that the survey won't make any difference, or even worse, they get pulled up on their responses. Our surveys are guaranteed to be anonymous. However, through a series of sorting questions, they can reveal key areas in the school where issues can be effectively addressed. We also believe that they should be transparent, so that all stakeholders see the results. Staff also need to have absolute trust in the process.
Helpful
We produce a comprehensive report on the survey findings that is able to identify a number of key areas where levers can be pulled to improve staff cohesion and help the school to be more focused and effective. Not only that, but our surveys are designed to be conducted annually in a way in which progress can be tracked and in particular staff mental health and their awareness of it can be monitored, as well as thoughts, feelings and perceptions. If staff see the survey outcomes, it is much more likely to support staff participation, trust and honesty, as well as being a key indicator that their welfare is taken seriously.
Valued
It is of vital importance that staff see the annual survey as a valued tool for school improvement and support for them. This is why it is so important that the survey is anonymous and transparent. It is particularly effective when a Governor is involved on the survey team. It works best when used as part of a distinct strategy around listening to, developing and supporting staff.
Helps drive Improvement
Any successful organisation needs a motivated, supported, aligned and empowered staff team. There is a plethora of evidence to show the benefits of this. Schools are no different, in fact they are a place where this is probably more important. Staff work best when they feel valued, have their voices heard and know that they are supported by leaders and each other. This culture doesn't just happen by accident, it needs to be nurtured and if successfully implemented can result in less staff turnover, less sick days and a much greater willingness to go the extra mile.
