About the survey

School and College Voice (SCV), formerly the School and College Panel, is a research panel designed to collect robust evidence to help the Department for Education make more effective policy. The findings from the surveys give the department invaluable insight on design, delivery, and impact of policy, as well as a better understanding of behaviours and perspectives in the sector.

The SCV works as a series of short, flexible surveys across the academic year, covering a wide range of new and longstanding policy issues. Some recent examples include: access to specialist SEND services; engagement with technical education options; the impact of behaviour in the classroom; and leader and teacher wellbeing and job satisfaction.

All survey questions are sponsored by teams working directly on the issues at the Department for Education and the findings make a real contribution to the department’s policymaking. For example:

"Data provided by the School and College survey made a substantial contribution to the Department for Education's business case to fund the new Wraparound Childcare Programme. The Chancellor even referenced findings from the survey in his Budget speech in the House of Commons."
Head of Wraparound Childcare Unit, Department for Education

“Last year panel members of the School and College survey helped the Department for Education build a baseline understanding of the level of awareness and uptake of technologies like ChatGPT in a representative way across the education system.”
Head of Emerging Technology, Department for Education

“Data on pupil’s experiences and expectations of computer science teaching has proved extremely useful in planning future activity to combat misconceptions and raise awareness of the benefits of studying computer science qualifications. Increasing the number of pupils who choose to take the computer science GCSE will also support the Government’s objective of making the UK a science and technology superpower and secure wider benefits for the economy, through ensuring that more individuals can enter the advanced digital skills pipeline.”
Head of Computing and Science Unit, Department for Education

The SCV is also endorsed by leading figures in the FE sector.

“The Department for Education School and College Omnibus Survey is a great opportunity for college leaders to provide feedback and inform key policy decision making.”
David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges

Findings are regularly published to GOV.UK for public use. To see last year’s results, please click here

For more information about how to complete the survey, please click here.