Local authority approaches to supporting school improvement: Questionnaire analysis
We received questionnaire responses from:
-
1,328 headteachers
-
485 local authority staff
460 responses.
The questionnaire results presented reflect the aggregated views of responding local authority staff members. These findings should not be interpreted as fully representative of all local authority staff across Scotland.
Percentages have been rounded and may not add to 100.
Question 1
The education authority’s strategic plan for education is clearly focused on raising attainment and achievement for all learners.
Response | Number of responses | Percentage of total responses |
---|---|---|
Strongly agree |
344 |
75% |
Agree |
108 |
24% |
Disagree |
4 |
1% |
Strongly disagree |
0 |
0 |
Don't know |
3 |
1% |
Question 2
The education authority’s stretch aims to measure its progress in raising attainment and towards closing the poverty-related attainment gap, were developed in collaboration with headteachers.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
205 |
45% |
Agree |
187 |
41% |
Disagree |
25 |
6% |
Strongly disagree |
1 |
0% |
Don’t know |
40 |
9% |
Question 3
The education authority’s stretch aims have been made clear to senior leaders.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
270 |
59% |
Agree |
161 |
35% |
Disagree |
4 |
1% |
Strongly disagree |
0 |
0% |
Don’t know |
24 |
5% |
Question 4
The education authority’s leadership structure is clear.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
282 |
62% |
Agree |
144 |
31% |
Disagree |
26 |
6% |
Strongly disagree |
3 |
1% |
Don’t know |
3 |
1% |
Question 5
The education authority provides opportunities for children and young people to be involved and influence decision-making within the education authority.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
124 |
27% |
Agree |
263 |
58% |
Disagree |
37 |
8% |
Strongly disagree |
5 |
1% |
Don’t know |
28 |
6% |
Question 6
The education authority provides opportunities for parents and carers to be involved and influence decision-making within the education authority.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
124 |
27% |
Agree |
278 |
60% |
Disagree |
26 |
6% |
Strongly disagree |
3 |
1% |
Don’t know |
29 |
6% |
Question 7
The education authority’s arrangements and advice on self-evaluation is used effectively to help headteachers when planning for school improvement.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
254 |
55% |
Agree |
181 |
40% |
Disagree |
3 |
1% |
Strongly disagree |
0 |
0% |
Don’t know |
21 |
5% |
Question 8
The education authority’s guidance and advice on reporting on education standards and quality is used effectively by schools when writing their school standards and quality report.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
189 |
41% |
Agree |
230 |
50% |
Disagree |
12 |
3% |
Strongly disagree |
0 |
0% |
Don’t know |
29 |
6% |
Question 9
The education authority’s guidance and advice on planning for improvement is used effectively by schools when writing school improvement plans.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
184 |
40% |
Agree |
242 |
53% |
Disagree |
8 |
2% |
Strongly disagree |
0 |
0% |
Don’t know |
26 |
6% |
Question 10
The education authority provides constructive feedback to every headteacher on the quality of their improvement plan and standards and quality report.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
200 |
44% |
Agree |
190 |
41% |
Disagree |
27 |
6% |
Strongly disagree |
1 |
0% |
Don’t know |
42 |
9% |
Question 11
Between education authority staff and headteachers, there is a shared understanding of the purpose of its quality assurance activities.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
245 |
53% |
Agree |
195 |
43% |
Disagree |
9 |
2% |
Strongly disagree |
0 |
0% |
Don’t know |
10 |
2% |
Question 12
The education authority adopts a systematic approach to its quality assurance activities.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
245 |
53% |
Agree |
186 |
40% |
Disagree |
8 |
2% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
19 |
4% |
Question 13
The education authority invests in capacity building activities for its central education team to ensure that all schools experience a consistent application of the education authority’s program for quality improvement.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
190 |
42% |
Agree |
200 |
44% |
Disagree |
27 |
6% |
Strongly disagree |
7 |
2% |
Don’t know |
34 |
7% |
Question 14
The education authority’s quality assurance activities are making a positive difference to improving the quality of education in all its schools.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
182 |
40% |
Agree |
230 |
51% |
Disagree |
11 |
2% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
35 |
8% |
Question 15
The education authority promotes and supports schools’ effective use of data to evaluate impact and outcomes on children and young people.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
309 |
67% |
Agree |
140 |
30% |
Disagree |
7 |
2% |
Strongly disagree |
0 |
0% |
Don’t know |
4 |
1% |
Question 16
The education authority uses data effectively to demonstrate its progress in raising attainment and achievement for all children and young people in its schools.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
282 |
62% |
Agree |
159 |
35% |
Disagree |
6 |
1% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
8 |
2% |
Question 17
The education authority uses data effectively to demonstrate its progress in closing the poverty-related attainment gap.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
261 |
57% |
Agree |
172 |
38% |
Disagree |
11 |
2% |
Strongly disagree |
1 |
0% |
Don’t know |
14 |
3% |
Question 18
The education authority communicates its rationale for the professional learning activities that are offered to headteachers and their staff.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
209 |
45% |
Agree |
212 |
46% |
Disagree |
23 |
5% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
14 |
3% |
Question 19
The education authority offers professional learning opportunities that develop the capacity and capability of headteachers to lead their schools.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
233 |
51% |
Agree |
193 |
42% |
Disagree |
9 |
2% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
23 |
5% |
Question 20
The education authority’s strategy for raising attainment in literacy is clearly embedded in its programme of professional learning for teachers.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
277 |
49% |
Agree |
193 |
42% |
Disagree |
17 |
4% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
21 |
5% |
Question 21
The education authority’s strategy for raising attainment in numeracy is clearly embedded in its programme of professional learning for teachers.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
213 |
46% |
Agree |
197 |
43% |
Disagree |
24 |
5% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
24 |
5% |
Question 22
The education authority’s professional learning strategy draws on support from national organisations.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
216 |
47% |
Agree |
207 |
45% |
Disagree |
4 |
1% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
29 |
6% |
Question 23
The education authority’s professional learning strategy provides opportunities to work with other education authorities to achieve common goals.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
140 |
30% |
Agree |
257 |
56% |
Disagree |
27 |
6% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
34 |
7% |
Question 24
The education authority invests in capacity building activities for its central education team to ensure that the competences and knowledge to lead school improvement activities are developed.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
165 |
36% |
Agree |
212 |
46% |
Disagree |
35 |
8% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
46 |
10% |
Question 25
There is a well-developed culture of support and challenge across the education authority.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
241 |
52% |
Agree |
191 |
42% |
Disagree |
20 |
4% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
6 |
1% |
Question 26
The education authority knows its schools well.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
305 |
67% |
Agree |
133 |
29% |
Disagree |
12 |
3% |
Strongly disagree |
1 |
0% |
Don’t know |
4 |
1% |
Question 27
The education authority ensures that there is a named officer who is linked to each school.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
396 |
86% |
Agree |
59 |
13% |
Disagree |
1 |
0% |
Strongly disagree |
1 |
0% |
Don’t know |
3 |
1% |
Question 28
The local authority routinely discusses the performance of schools with headteachers to help identify strengths and areas of development.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
293 |
64% |
Agree |
149 |
33% |
Disagree |
2 |
0% |
Strongly disagree |
0 |
0% |
Don’t know |
15 |
3% |
Question 29
The education authority recognises the successes of its schools.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
262 |
57% |
Agree |
174 |
38% |
Disagree |
14 |
3% |
Strongly disagree |
1 |
0% |
Don’t know |
9 |
2% |
Question 30:
The education authority provides constructive feedback on schools’ self-evaluation processes.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
204 |
45% |
Agree |
203 |
45% |
Disagree |
15 |
3% |
Strongly disagree |
1 |
0% |
Don’t know |
33 |
7% |
Question 31
The education authority supports headteachers to lead effectively.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
227 |
49% |
Agree |
207 |
45% |
Disagree |
12 |
3% |
Strongly disagree |
0 |
0% |
Don’t know |
14 |
3% |
Question 32
Headteachers have opportunities to work collaboratively with other school leaders within the education authority.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
300 |
66% |
Agree |
143 |
31% |
Disagree |
7 |
2% |
Strongly disagree |
0 |
0% |
Don’t know |
7 |
2% |
Question 33
Headteachers are supported to exercise their autonomy to make key decisions relating to school improvement and education quality.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
252 |
55% |
Agree |
188 |
41% |
Disagree |
5 |
1% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
13 |
3% |
1,328 responses.
The questionnaire results presented reflect the aggregated views of responding headteachers. These findings should not be interpreted as fully representative of all headteachers across Scotland.
Percentages have been rounded and may not add to 100.
Question 1
I have a good understanding of how decisions about education are made by the education authority.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
455 |
34% |
Agree |
748 |
56% |
Disagree |
82 |
6% |
Strongly disagree |
19 |
1% |
Don’t know |
21 |
2% |
Question 2
The education authority’s strategic [improvement] plan for education is clearly focused on raising attainment and achievement for all learners.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
795 |
60% |
Agree |
488 |
37% |
Disagree |
29 |
2% |
Strongly disagree |
4 |
0% |
Don’t know |
11 |
1% |
Question 3
The education authority’s stretch aims to measure its progress in raising attainment and towards closing the poverty-related attainment gap have been made clear to me.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
696 |
52% |
Agree |
534 |
40% |
Disagree |
55 |
4% |
Strongly disagree |
14 |
1% |
Don’t know |
27 |
2% |
Question 4
The education authority’s leadership structure is clear to me.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
716 |
54% |
Agree |
504 |
38% |
Disagree |
72 |
5% |
Strongly disagree |
23 |
2% |
Don’t know |
12 |
1% |
Question 5
I have opportunities to be involved in and influence decision-making within the education authority.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
396 |
30% |
Agree |
723 |
54% |
Disagree |
144 |
11% |
Strongly disagree |
29 |
2% |
Don’t know |
35 |
3% |
Question 6
The education authority’s arrangements and advice on self-evaluation help me when planning for my school’s improvement.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
571 |
43% |
Agree |
665 |
50% |
Disagree |
55 |
4% |
Strongly disagree |
11 |
1% |
Don’t know |
23 |
2% |
Question 7
The education authority’s guidance and advice on reporting on education standards and quality is useful to me when writing my school’s standards and quality report.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
582 |
44% |
Agree |
645 |
49% |
Disagree |
59 |
4% |
Strongly disagree |
12 |
1% |
Don’t know |
28 |
2% |
Question 8
The education authority’s guidance and advice on planning for improvement is useful to me when writing my school’s improvement plan.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
580 |
44% |
Agree |
647 |
49% |
Disagree |
61 |
5% |
Strongly disagree |
12 |
1% |
Don’t know |
24 |
2% |
Question 9
The education authority provides constructive feedback to me on the quality of my school’s school improvement plan and standards and quality report.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
453 |
34% |
Agree |
602 |
44% |
Disagree |
178 |
13% |
Strongly disagree |
49 |
4% |
Don’t know |
42 |
3% |
Question 10
Between education authority staff and headteachers, there is a shared understanding of the purpose of its quality assurance activities.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
558 |
42% |
Agree |
642 |
48% |
Disagree |
74 |
6% |
Strongly disagree |
12 |
1% |
Don’t know |
38 |
3% |
Question 11
The education authority adopts a systematic approach to its quality assurance activities.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
465 |
35% |
Agree |
639 |
48% |
Disagree |
113 |
9% |
Strongly disagree |
22 |
2% |
Don’t know |
84 |
6% |
Question 12
The education authority’s quality assurance activities are making a positive difference to improving the quality of education in my school.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
371 |
28% |
Agree |
690 |
52% |
Disagree |
139 |
10% |
Strongly disagree |
32 |
2% |
Don’t know |
92 |
7% |
Question 13
The education authority has supported me to develop a systematic approach to self-evaluation in my school.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
377 |
28% |
Agree |
719 |
54% |
Disagree |
158 |
12% |
Strongly disagree |
17 |
1% |
Don’t know |
51 |
4% |
Question 14
The education authority promotes and supports effective use of data to evaluate impact and outcomes on children and young people.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
711 |
54% |
Agree |
568 |
43% |
Disagree |
28 |
2% |
Strongly disagree |
7 |
1% |
Don’t know |
11 |
1% |
Question 15
The education authority uses data effectively to demonstrate my school’s progress in raising attainment and achievement.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
567 |
43% |
Agree |
617 |
47% |
Disagree |
85 |
6% |
Strongly disagree |
12 |
1% |
Don’t know |
38 |
3% |
Question 16
The education authority uses data effectively to demonstrate its progress in closing the poverty-related attainment gap.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
528 |
40% |
Agree |
623 |
47% |
Disagree |
70 |
5% |
Strongly disagree |
10 |
1% |
Don’t know |
93 |
7% |
Question 17
I regularly participate in professional learning that develops my capacity and capability to lead my school.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
690 |
52% |
Agree |
595 |
45% |
Disagree |
35 |
3% |
Strongly disagree |
1 |
1% |
Don’t know |
2 |
2% |
Question 18
The education authority’s rationale for the professional learning activities it offers to headteachers is clear to me.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
347 |
26% |
Agree |
688 |
52% |
Disagree |
165 |
12% |
Strongly disagree |
32 |
2% |
Don’t know |
93 |
7% |
Question 19
The education authority’s strategy for raising attainment in literacy is clearly embedded in its programme of professional learning for teachers.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
445 |
34% |
Agree |
701 |
53% |
Disagree |
97 |
7% |
Strongly disagree |
12 |
1% |
Don’t know |
67 |
5% |
Question 20
The education authority’s strategy for raising attainment in numeracy is clearly embedded in its programme of professional learning for teachers.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
407 |
31% |
Agree |
711 |
54% |
Disagree |
106 |
8% |
Strongly disagree |
13 |
1% |
Don’t know |
80 |
6% |
Question 21
The education authority’s professional learning strategy draws on support from national organisations.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
397 |
30% |
Agree |
727 |
55% |
Disagree |
35 |
3% |
Strongly disagree |
7 |
1% |
Don’t know |
157 |
12% |
Question 22
The education authority’s professional learning strategy provides opportunities to work with other education authorities to achieve common goals.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
264 |
20% |
Agree |
644 |
49% |
Disagree |
183 |
14% |
Strongly disagree |
29 |
2% |
Don’t know |
199 |
15% |
Question 23
There is a well-developed culture of support and challenge in the education authority.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
425 |
32% |
Agree |
661 |
50% |
Disagree |
158 |
12% |
Strongly disagree |
35 |
3% |
Don’t know |
45 |
3% |
Question 24
The education authority knows my school well.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
454 |
34% |
Agree |
620 |
47% |
Disagree |
134 |
10% |
Strongly disagree |
33 |
2% |
Don’t know |
83 |
6% |
Question 25
When I need advice or support, I am able to contact a named education authority officer who is linked to my school.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
867 |
65% |
Agree |
432 |
33% |
Disagree |
16 |
1% |
Strongly disagree |
5 |
0% |
Don’t know |
5 |
0% |
Question 26
The education authority routinely discusses the performance of my school with me, to help identify strengths and areas of development.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
523 |
39% |
Agree |
632 |
48% |
Disagree |
138 |
10% |
Strongly disagree |
20 |
2% |
Don’t know |
13 |
1% |
Question 27
The education authority recognises my school’s successes.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
422 |
32% |
Agree |
634 |
48% |
Disagree |
151 |
11% |
Strongly disagree |
26 |
2% |
Don’t know |
7 |
7% |
Question 28
The education authority provides constructive feedback on my school’s self-evaluation processes.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
367 |
28% |
Agree |
670 |
51% |
Disagree |
190 |
14% |
Strongly disagree |
27 |
2% |
Don’t know |
66 |
5% |
Question 29
The education authority supports me to lead effectively.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
415 |
31% |
Agree |
734 |
56% |
Disagree |
110 |
8% |
Strongly disagree |
21 |
2% |
Don’t know |
41 |
3% |
Question 30
I have opportunities to work collaboratively with other school leaders within my local authority.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
746 |
56% |
Agree |
549 |
42% |
Disagree |
19 |
1% |
Strongly disagree |
2 |
0% |
Don’t know |
5 |
0% |
Question 31
I feel I can exercise my autonomy to make key decisions relating to school improvement and education quality.
Response |
Number of responses |
Percentage of total responses |
Strongly agree |
607 |
46% |
Agree |
632 |
48% |
Disagree |
54 |
4% |
Strongly disagree |
12 |
1% |
Don’t know |
16 |
1% |