Surviving secondary school: PARENTS/CARERS

Surviving secondary school: Initial parent/carer survey

As my own daughter prepares for the transition to secondary school this September, I am doing some groundwork research into a possible new project. I have recently published a book about teachers and teaching but want to write something for a readership of parents and their children.

This survey is for parents of children aged 11-18, currently enrolled at UK secondary schools (or 16-18 colleges).

Writing as a teacher of two decades AND a parent of one decade, I plan to explore some of the concerns and anxieties (as well as the triumphs and successes) of life at secondary school. This initial survey will help me pick out key themes which are of the biggest concern/interest to parents in 2018 which I hope to develop into a book or a series of articles.

Ethical considerations are of the upmost importance and names, email addresses and other distinguishing features will NOT be shared for either you or your child (should they wish to participate).

This new project will aim to compare parents' perspectives with those of children and offer practical advice and guidance as we each negotiate the often tricky path through secondary school.

If you have more than one child at secondary school, you can choose to focus the survey on just one or fill in a second (third?) survey for each child.

If this first stage proves fruitful, this survey will be followed by others which will probe the issues you help me to identify in more depth.

I really appreciate your time and your responses are hugely valuable.

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* 1. Please give your name. This will not be shared with anyone else.

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* 2. Please provide an email address I can contact you on. This will not be shared and I would only use it to contact you for further information regarding this research.

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* 3. Does your child identify as...?

Male

Female

Other or prefer not to say

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* 4. What school year is your child in?

Year 7 or equivalent (aged 11-12)

Year 8 or equivalent (aged 12-13)

Year 9 or equivalent (aged 13-14)

Year 10 or equivalent (aged 14-15)

Year 11 or equivalent (aged 15-16)

Year 12 or equivalent (aged 16-17)

Year 13 or equivalent (aged 17-18)

Other (please specify)

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* 5. What sort of school does your child attend? (You may select all relevant options)

State school

Independent School

Free School

Academy

11-18 school

11-16 school

All-through school (usually 5-18)

Boarding school

Faith school

Other (please specify) - you may use this space to say more about your choice (or lack thereof) of school if you feel this is relevant

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* 6. What is the Ofsted (or equivalent) rating of your child's school?

Outstanding (or equivalent) - 1

Good (or equivalent) - 2

Requires Improvement (or equivalent) - 3

Special measures (or equivalent) - 4

Other (please specify)

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* 7. Which of these terms most accurately describe your child? (You may select more than one or provide your own.)

Introverted/shy

Confident

Restless

Sensitive

Sporty

Volatile or moody

Studious

Sociable

Anxious

Ambitious

Creative

Other (please specify)

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* 8. Are there any physical, emotional or mental factors which mean your child struggles in any way at school? If yes, please describe these briefly.

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* 9. Please indicate your level of agreement with the statements below.

	Strongly agree	Agree	Neither agree nor disagree	Disagree	Strongly disagree	N/A
My child enjoys school	My child enjoys school Strongly agree	My child enjoys school Agree	My child enjoys school Neither agree nor disagree	My child enjoys school Disagree	My child enjoys school Strongly disagree	My child enjoys school N/A
My child is doing well at school	My child is doing well at school Strongly agree	My child is doing well at school Agree	My child is doing well at school Neither agree nor disagree	My child is doing well at school Disagree	My child is doing well at school Strongly disagree	My child is doing well at school N/A
I understand how my child's progress is being assessed	I understand how my child's progress is being assessed Strongly agree	I understand how my child's progress is being assessed Agree	I understand how my child's progress is being assessed Neither agree nor disagree	I understand how my child's progress is being assessed Disagree	I understand how my child's progress is being assessed Strongly disagree	I understand how my child's progress is being assessed N/A
My child's teachers are effective	My child's teachers are effective Strongly agree	My child's teachers are effective Agree	My child's teachers are effective Neither agree nor disagree	My child's teachers are effective Disagree	My child's teachers are effective Strongly disagree	My child's teachers are effective N/A
If I raise concerns with the school, they are dealt with effectively	If I raise concerns with the school, they are dealt with effectively Strongly agree	If I raise concerns with the school, they are dealt with effectively Agree	If I raise concerns with the school, they are dealt with effectively Neither agree nor disagree	If I raise concerns with the school, they are dealt with effectively Disagree	If I raise concerns with the school, they are dealt with effectively Strongly disagree	If I raise concerns with the school, they are dealt with effectively N/A
Communication from the school is good	Communication from the school is good Strongly agree	Communication from the school is good Agree	Communication from the school is good Neither agree nor disagree	Communication from the school is good Disagree	Communication from the school is good Strongly disagree	Communication from the school is good N/A
I understand how my child is assessed	I understand how my child is assessed Strongly agree	I understand how my child is assessed Agree	I understand how my child is assessed Neither agree nor disagree	I understand how my child is assessed Disagree	I understand how my child is assessed Strongly disagree	I understand how my child is assessed N/A
I know how to help my child progress in their different subjects	I know how to help my child progress in their different subjects Strongly agree	I know how to help my child progress in their different subjects Agree	I know how to help my child progress in their different subjects Neither agree nor disagree	I know how to help my child progress in their different subjects Disagree	I know how to help my child progress in their different subjects Strongly disagree	I know how to help my child progress in their different subjects N/A
My child has good relationships with their teachers	My child has good relationships with their teachers Strongly agree	My child has good relationships with their teachers Agree	My child has good relationships with their teachers Neither agree nor disagree	My child has good relationships with their teachers Disagree	My child has good relationships with their teachers Strongly disagree	My child has good relationships with their teachers N/A
My child feels safe at school	My child feels safe at school Strongly agree	My child feels safe at school Agree	My child feels safe at school Neither agree nor disagree	My child feels safe at school Disagree	My child feels safe at school Strongly disagree	My child feels safe at school N/A
My child's homework is appropriate and helps them make progress	My child's homework is appropriate and helps them make progress Strongly agree	My child's homework is appropriate and helps them make progress Agree	My child's homework is appropriate and helps them make progress Neither agree nor disagree	My child's homework is appropriate and helps them make progress Disagree	My child's homework is appropriate and helps them make progress Strongly disagree	My child's homework is appropriate and helps them make progress N/A
My child's teachers understand their needs and strengths and respond appropriately	My child's teachers understand their needs and strengths and respond appropriately Strongly agree	My child's teachers understand their needs and strengths and respond appropriately Agree	My child's teachers understand their needs and strengths and respond appropriately Neither agree nor disagree	My child's teachers understand their needs and strengths and respond appropriately Disagree	My child's teachers understand their needs and strengths and respond appropriately Strongly disagree	My child's teachers understand their needs and strengths and respond appropriately N/A
Poor behaviour/conduct is dealt with effectively by staff at my child's school	Poor behaviour/conduct is dealt with effectively by staff at my child's school Strongly agree	Poor behaviour/conduct is dealt with effectively by staff at my child's school Agree	Poor behaviour/conduct is dealt with effectively by staff at my child's school Neither agree nor disagree	Poor behaviour/conduct is dealt with effectively by staff at my child's school Disagree	Poor behaviour/conduct is dealt with effectively by staff at my child's school Strongly disagree	Poor behaviour/conduct is dealt with effectively by staff at my child's school N/A
My child is intellectually challenged at school	My child is intellectually challenged at school Strongly agree	My child is intellectually challenged at school Agree	My child is intellectually challenged at school Neither agree nor disagree	My child is intellectually challenged at school Disagree	My child is intellectually challenged at school Strongly disagree	My child is intellectually challenged at school N/A
The curriculum/subjects on offer are appropriate for my child	The curriculum/subjects on offer are appropriate for my child Strongly agree	The curriculum/subjects on offer are appropriate for my child Agree	The curriculum/subjects on offer are appropriate for my child Neither agree nor disagree	The curriculum/subjects on offer are appropriate for my child Disagree	The curriculum/subjects on offer are appropriate for my child Strongly disagree	The curriculum/subjects on offer are appropriate for my child N/A

Other comments

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* 10. Would you describe your child as exceptionally able or gifted? Please provide brief details.

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* 11. Please indicate below to what extent the following factors cause stress or tension between you and your child in the context of their education/success at school.

	Never	Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Sometimes (about once a week)	Often (twice or three times a week)	Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Homework	Homework Never	Homework Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Homework Sometimes (about once a week)	Homework Often (twice or three times a week)	Homework Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Revision	Revision Never	Revision Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Revision Sometimes (about once a week)	Revision Often (twice or three times a week)	Revision Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Exams, assessments or tests	Exams, assessments or tests Never	Exams, assessments or tests Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Exams, assessments or tests Sometimes (about once a week)	Exams, assessments or tests Often (twice or three times a week)	Exams, assessments or tests Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Online interactions	Online interactions Never	Online interactions Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Online interactions Sometimes (about once a week)	Online interactions Often (twice or three times a week)	Online interactions Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Going out	Going out Never	Going out Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Going out Sometimes (about once a week)	Going out Often (twice or three times a week)	Going out Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Friendship groups	Friendship groups Never	Friendship groups Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Friendship groups Sometimes (about once a week)	Friendship groups Often (twice or three times a week)	Friendship groups Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Screen time (computer, TV or games)	Screen time (computer, TV or games) Never	Screen time (computer, TV or games) Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Screen time (computer, TV or games) Sometimes (about once a week)	Screen time (computer, TV or games) Often (twice or three times a week)	Screen time (computer, TV or games) Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Your child's behaviour/conduct at school	Your child's behaviour/conduct at school Never	Your child's behaviour/conduct at school Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Your child's behaviour/conduct at school Sometimes (about once a week)	Your child's behaviour/conduct at school Often (twice or three times a week)	Your child's behaviour/conduct at school Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Poor or inadequate teachers or teaching	Poor or inadequate teachers or teaching Never	Poor or inadequate teachers or teaching Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Poor or inadequate teachers or teaching Sometimes (about once a week)	Poor or inadequate teachers or teaching Often (twice or three times a week)	Poor or inadequate teachers or teaching Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Bullying	Bullying Never	Bullying Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Bullying Sometimes (about once a week)	Bullying Often (twice or three times a week)	Bullying Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)

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* 12. Are there other factors, not named above, which cause stress or tension at home in relation to school/education? If so, please provide a brief description.

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* 13. Please indicate to what extent the following help your child to feel happy and successful in their education.

	Never	Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Sometimes (about once a week)	Often (twice or three times a week)	Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Honest conversations about school	Honest conversations about school Never	Honest conversations about school Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Honest conversations about school Sometimes (about once a week)	Honest conversations about school Often (twice or three times a week)	Honest conversations about school Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Time outdoors	Time outdoors Never	Time outdoors Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Time outdoors Sometimes (about once a week)	Time outdoors Often (twice or three times a week)	Time outdoors Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Meals as a family	Meals as a family Never	Meals as a family Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Meals as a family Sometimes (about once a week)	Meals as a family Often (twice or three times a week)	Meals as a family Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Quality time for leisure activities	Quality time for leisure activities Never	Quality time for leisure activities Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Quality time for leisure activities Sometimes (about once a week)	Quality time for leisure activities Often (twice or three times a week)	Quality time for leisure activities Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Regular sporting activities	Regular sporting activities Never	Regular sporting activities Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Regular sporting activities Sometimes (about once a week)	Regular sporting activities Often (twice or three times a week)	Regular sporting activities Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Music or the arts	Music or the arts Never	Music or the arts Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Music or the arts Sometimes (about once a week)	Music or the arts Often (twice or three times a week)	Music or the arts Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)
Time with a pet or animal	Time with a pet or animal Never	Time with a pet or animal Occasionally (once or twice a month)	Time with a pet or animal Sometimes (about once a week)	Time with a pet or animal Often (twice or three times a week)	Time with a pet or animal Very frequently (at least 4 times a week)

Surviving secondary school: PARENTS/CARERS

Surviving secondary school: Initial parent/carer survey

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* 1. Please give your name. This will not be shared with anyone else.

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* 2. Please provide an email address I can contact you on. This will not be shared and I would only use it to contact you for further information regarding this research.

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* 3. Does your child identify as...?

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* 4. What school year is your child in?

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* 5. What sort of school does your child attend? (You may select all relevant options)

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* 6. What is the Ofsted (or equivalent) rating of your child's school?

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* 7. Which of these terms most accurately describe your child? (You may select more than one or provide your own.)

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* 8. Are there any physical, emotional or mental factors which mean your child struggles in any way at school? If yes, please describe these briefly.

Question Title

* 9. Please indicate your level of agreement with the statements below.

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* 10. Would you describe your child as exceptionally able or gifted? Please provide brief details.

Question Title

* 11. Please indicate below to what extent the following factors cause stress or tension between you and your child in the context of their education/success at school.

Question Title

* 12. Are there other factors, not named above, which cause stress or tension at home in relation to school/education? If so, please provide a brief description.

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* 13. Please indicate to what extent the following help your child to feel happy and successful in their education.

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* 14. Are there other factors, not named above, which help your child feel happy and successful in their education?

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* 15. Complete the following sentence. 'The best teachers are....'

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* 16. Complete the following sentence. 'The worst teachers are...'

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* 17. In your interactions with your child's school, what are the biggest frustrations for you as a parent?

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* 18. In your interactions with your child's school, which have been the most valuable to you as a parent?

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* 19. Thank you so much for your time. If you wish to add anything, please use the box below to do so.