The Importance of Teacher Wellbeing
Teacher wellbeing is obviously a critical aspect of being an effective headteacher and it's crucial to take stock and ensure your teacher wellbeing ideas and efforts are making a meaningful impact on your staff.
One powerful tool at your disposal is a Teacher Wellbeing Survey. However, crafting the right questions is an art that can often prove to be very difficult.
In this blog post, we present a comprehensive guide with 75 questions to include in your Teacher Wellbeing Survey. These questions delve into various aspects of teachers' professional and personal lives, providing you with valuable insights and teacher wellbeing ideas to foster a healthier and more supportive school environment.
Understanding Professional Satisfaction:
- How satisfied are you with the professional development opportunities provided by the school?
- Do you feel recognised and appreciated for your contributions to the school and its community?
- To what extent do you believe your workload is manageable?
Work-Life Balance:
- How often do you find yourself taking work home?
- Are you able to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
- Do you feel supported in managing your time effectively?
Relationships and Communication:
- How would you rate the effectiveness of communication within the school?
- Do you feel comfortable expressing concerns or feedback to school leadership?
- Are there opportunities for collaborative planning with your colleagues?
Emotional Wellbeing:
- How well does the school support your emotional wellbeing?
- Have you felt overwhelmed or stressed in the past month?
- Is there an effective support system in place for managing stress and mental health?
Professional Growth:
- Do you feel encouraged to pursue further professional development?
- Are there opportunities for mentorship within the school?
- How satisfied are you with the feedback you receive on your teaching?
School Culture and Environment:
- Does the school culture promote inclusivity and diversity?
- To what extent do you feel a sense of belonging within the school community?
- Are there initiatives in place to promote a positive school culture?
Job Satisfaction:
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with your current teaching position?
- What aspects of your job bring you the most satisfaction?
- Are there aspects of your job that you find particularly challenging?
Professional Support:
- How well do you feel supported by the leadership team?
- Is there a clear system for seeking help or guidance when needed?
- Are there resources available to address classroom challenges effectively?
Recognition and Rewards:
- How often do you receive recognition for your achievements in the classroom?
- Are there incentives in place to reward outstanding teaching and non-teaching practices?
- Do you feel valued as a member of the school community?
Physical Wellbeing:
- Is there a comfortable and ergonomic workspace provided for teachers?
- How would you rate the school's efforts in promoting a healthy physical environment?
- Are there opportunities for physical activity within the school day?
Professional Autonomy:
- To what extent do you feel you have control over your teaching methods and curriculum?
- Are there opportunities for teachers to contribute to decision-making processes?
- How supported do you feel in trying new or innovative evidence-informed teaching approaches?
Collaboration and Teamwork:
- Are there regular opportunities for collaborative planning with colleagues?
- How would you rate the level of teamwork within your department or grade level?
- Are there forums for sharing best practices among teachers?
Feedback Mechanisms:
- How satisfied are you with the feedback you receive from students and parents?
- Are there mechanisms in place for continuous improvement based on feedback?
- Do you feel your opinions are considered in decision-making processes?
Training and Development:
- Are there regular training sessions on new teaching methodologies and technologies?
- How would you rate the effectiveness of professional development opportunities?
- Do you feel adequately prepared to address the diverse needs of your students?
Student Relationships:
- How well do you feel you connect with your students on a personal level?
- Are there resources available to help teachers build positive relationships with students?
- How supported do you feel in addressing behavioral issues in the classroom?
Leadership Effectiveness:
- How would you rate the communication skills of school leadership?
- Do you feel confident in the decisions made by the leadership team?
- Are there channels for providing feedback on the effectiveness of school leadership?
School Policies and Procedures:
- How well do you understand and agree with school policies and procedures?
- Are there opportunities for teachers to provide input on policy development?
- How transparent do you feel school decision-making processes are?
Technology Integration:
- Are there adequate resources and training for integrating technology into your teaching?
- How would you rate the effectiveness of current technology tools in the classroom?
- Do you feel confident in using technology to enhance your teaching?
Community Engagement:
- How well does the school engage with the local community?
- Are there opportunities for teachers to participate in community outreach programs?
- How valued do you feel by the wider community as a teacher?
Parental Involvement:
- How would you rate the level of parental involvement in your classroom?
- Are there effective communication channels between teachers and parents?
- Do you feel supported in managing parent-teacher relationships?
Recognition of Extra Efforts:
- Are there mechanisms in place to recognise and reward teachers for going above and beyond?
- How would you rate the school's acknowledgment of extra-curricular contributions?
- Do you feel your dedication and commitment are acknowledged by the school?
Career Development Opportunities:
- Are there opportunities for career advancement within the school?
- How well does the school support your long-term career goals?
- Are there mentorship programs in place for career development?
Balancing Administrative Duties:
- How well do you feel supported in managing administrative tasks?
- Are there resources available to streamline administrative responsibilities?
- How would you rate the clarity of administrative expectations?
Celebrating Successes:
- Are there regular celebrations or events to acknowledge the successes of teachers?
- How would you rate the school's efforts in fostering a positive and celebratory atmosphere?
- Are there platforms for teachers to share and celebrate their achievements?
Continuous Improvement:
- How open do you feel the school is to feedback and suggestions for improvement?
- Are there regular assessments of teacher wellbeing to inform continuous improvement?
- Do you feel the school is committed to evolving and adapting to the needs of its educators?
If you'd like to hear more on this important topic we have released a podcast looking at teacher wellbeing which you can find here: Podcast | Season 1 | Episode 11: Teacher Wellbeing: A Case Study and a Research Paper
One of our partners has also worked on a teacher wellbeing handbook which you can find here: The Wellbeing Strategy Workbook by Westfield Health
Furthermore, please do consider coming along to the SAAShow in London on the 1st May. You can find out more information here: https://www.schoolsandacademiesshow.co.uk/.
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