The School Survey 2024
As Children’s Commissioner I have a statutory duty to represent the views and interests of children in England to Government. In this data collection, I requested information from all schools and colleges across the country.Â
As Children’s Commissioner, I have statutory powers under Section 2F of the Children Act 2004 to collect data relating to children and all public sector organisations in England are legally required to provide data I request. This request is not subject to the same exemptions as a Freedom of Information request, for more information see the FAQs below.
This survey of all schools and colleges in England aims to drive improvements in the support available to children. The survey asked about the support schools and colleges offer to pupils and their families, staff roles and responsibilities, and the characteristics and vulnerabilities of pupils.
My office will publish the findings so you will be able to see how your school compares to others. Your school’s name will not be published. To find out how the information will be used see our privacy notice.
Yes. Under Section 2F of the Children Act 2004, the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza has statutory powers to collect data relating to children and all public sector organisations in England are required to provide data requested by the Commissioner.
All special and mainstream schools, colleges, pupil referral units, and alternative provision in England should complete the survey by the deadline of 20th December 2024. Any school member of staff can contribute but we believe that a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) or the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) will be best equipped to answer. Multiple members of staff can contribute. You can start, save your progress and return to complete the survey later by clicking ‘Save and Continue Later’ at the bottom of each survey page. This will send you a link via email to share with colleagues to help assemble the answers later.
Independent schools are welcome to submit responses, but the survey is primarily targeted at state schools.
You can work with colleagues to help assemble your answers, rather than completing the questions in one go. To do this, click ‘Save and Continue Later’ in the survey. This will send you an email containing a link you can share with colleagues.
‘Summer Term 2024’ refers to the last term of the 2023/24 academic year. For most schools in England, this term started on Monday 15th April 2024 and ended on or near Wednesday 24th July 2024. If you would prefer to refer to a specific date within this term, please refer to Thursday 16th May 2024.
The survey does not ask for any personal data. It does ask for the name of your school but your school’s name will not be published and will not be identifiable. The Children’s Commissioner’s office will analyse and use your answers in publications, so you will be able to see how your school compares to others. For more information on the Children’s Commissioner and to see our privacy notice visit our website.
Each school should respond to this survey once only. If you fill in the survey more than once under the same school name, the Children’s Commissioner’s office will only include the last response in our analysis.
If you are a new school which opened in the 2024/25 academic year, please respond to questions which refer to ‘Summer Term 2024’ with reference to the Autumn Term (2024/25 academic year) where possible, and if not, leave the question blank.
The Children’s Commissioner’s office will analyse the survey data and report on the survey findings in 2025. If you would like to receive emails containing information on the survey findings, you can sign up to our email newsletters at https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/
The work of the Children’s Commissioner shows that children really value their education, and many love their teachers, but they want to see schools focus on a stronger pastoral support offer. The Children’s Commissioner plans to use findings from the survey to inform her vision for the school system, show what is possible, and influence decision makers improve children’s educational experiences and outcomes.
Please contact the Children’s Commissioner’s office at [email protected].