Step five - Using your data

Once you have the results from pupil surveys, the next key step is to use these findings to drive improvements to pupil wellbeing support at the school. To ensure that this step is the most effective, it should involve engaging pupils and staff with the findings and lead to a meaningful and realistic improvement or action plan. 

Provide feedback to pupils and explore the results with them 

The pupils who completed the survey agreed to share how they think and feel so that this information can be used to make support better. Therefore, these pupils should have the opportunity to see and understand the findings.  

To make the most sense of the survey findings, it is helpful to discuss with pupils what the findings mean and what can be done to improve school support. It is tempting to make assumptions about the findings and to develop corresponding actions, but engaging pupils in discussion means that actions are more likely to be relevant and beneficial. 

Useful resources:

• Engaging students with wellbeing survey findings

Explore the findings with school staff 

The school staff that work with pupils and know them best are key to gaining a good understanding of the survey findings and identifying appropriate improvements. Engaging staff in discussion about the findings will help the school make the most sense of them, whilst exploring improvements with staff will ensure that they are pragmatic and effective.  

It is important then to use the results of this work to determine an action plan to improve support for pupils’ mental health and wellbeing. It is also important to consider who you need to share findings with and how.  

Present the findings for different audiences (parents, Governors, other schools)  

It is helpful to be clear on those stakeholders that you want to share the key findings with; is it important that you share findings with parents? Do you want to use the findings to help with fundraising activities? Do you intend to compare your results with the results from other pupil surveys? 

Each stakeholder will need the results presented differently, in ways that are appropriate to their needs and that link to the reason why you want to share the findings with them (to influence them, to inform them, to change decision-making). 

Developing an improvement plan  

The findings of a pupil wellbeing survey can help a school to understand the strengths and needs of pupils, but a crucial part of the whole process is developing actions as a result of this understanding. Discussions with pupils and with staff should be used to develop and implement an action plan to improve pupil wellbeing support. Improvement is an ongoing journey and pupils and staff can also be involved with evaluating the effectiveness of the action plan.   

The Anna Freud 5 Steps to Mental Health and Wellbeing is a free, evidence-based framework to help you develop a whole-school or college approach to mental health. 

Frequently asked questions

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