School Climate Survey
5th to 30th October, 2026
What is School Climate?
School climate is about what it feels like to be part of a school. It is the vibe or personality of the school.
It reflects the experiences of students, teachers and parents and includes whether people feel safe, supported, respected, included and able to learn and thrive.
School climate is shaped by the relationships and interactions within the school community. Respect, trust, care and fairness all contribute to creating a positive school environment.
A positive school climate matters because students learn and thrive best when they feel safe, supported, respected and connected to their school. Research has also linked positive school climates with better academic outcomes and lower rates of absenteeism, dropout, suspension and violence.
A School Climate Survey asks:
- Do I feel safe?
- Do I feel I belong?
- Am I supported to learn?
Is my school well-organised and well-managed?
Why is it important to measure School Climate?
The Ministry of Education uses both academic and non-academic information to guide decisions and improve the education system. While academic performance is important, students’ well-being and their overall experience at school also play an important role in their ability to learn, develop and succeed.
The School Climate Survey is a national initiative designed to give students, parents and teachers an opportunity to share their experiences and views about their school. The information collected helps the Ministry and schools to better understand how safe, supportive, inclusive and welcoming our schools are.
The survey looks at areas such as:
- School safety and bullying
- Discipline practices
- Support for students
- Student well-being
- School facilities
The survey provides information that can support evidence-based decision-making and help identify areas where targeted action or additional support may be needed. Importantly, the survey provides information based on the experiences and views of members of the school community, rather than relying only on what school leaders or others may believe the issues are.
The feedback also gives schools an opportunity to better understand their strengths, challenges and areas for improvement. Hearing from different members of the school community can help school leaders identify common concerns, understand different perspectives and determine areas that the school should prioritise.
How do schools use the data?
The survey data gives schools an opportunity to track changes in their school climate over time and identify specific areas that may need attention. By comparing results from one survey administration to another, schools can see where they are improving, where challenges may remain and where further action may be needed to improve the school experience for students, teachers and parents.
The information collected will be used to:
- Identify areas where schools can improve
- Support the development of programmes and initiatives
- Strengthen student and staff well-being
- Inform school development planning
Why do parents need to do the survey?
- Parents are an important part of their child’s school community and their experiences and perspectives provide valuable information about the school environment.
- By completing the survey, parents have an opportunity to share their views on their child’s school experience and contribute to a better understanding of what is working well and where improvements may be needed. When students, parents and teachers share their experiences, schools and the Ministry are better able to identify common priorities and make informed decisions that support students’ academic success, safety and overall well-being.
Why do parents need to let their children do the survey?
- Children and young people experience school in ways that adults may not always see or fully understand. Allowing children to participate gives them an opportunity to share their own experiences, views and concerns about their school.
- Their participation ensures that their experiences can be considered alongside the views of parents and teachers when identifying priorities and planning improvements at the school and national levels, helping to ensure that decisions are informed by students’ actual experiences and are better aligned with their needs, success and overall well-being.
Target population
Students: Form 2 and Form 4 students
Teachers: All Teachers in the School
Parents: Parents of Form 2 and Form 4 students
How long does the parent survey take?
The survey takes only 15–20 minutes to complete.
Need help completing the online questionnaire?
If you need assistance, you can view an instructional video for step-by-step guidance here:
How can I complete the survey?
The survey can be completed using a smartphone, tablet or computer. If you prefer, you may also request a printed copy from your school.
Privacy, Participation and Confidentiality
- Participation in the student survey requires prior parent consent.
- Students are not required to provide their names when completing the survey. Individual responses are treated as confidential and staff are not permitted to ask students about their individual responses.
- Survey results are presented in summary form, meaning that responses are grouped together to provide an overall picture of the experiences of students, parents and teachers. Individual respondents are not identified in the reporting of results.
- Students are encouraged to answer the questions honestly and based on their own experiences. There are no right or wrong answers. Honest responses help schools and the Ministry develop a more accurate understanding of students’ experiences, needs and concerns.
- Students will not be affected by their responses. Individual responses will not be shared with teachers or school staff and participation or responses will not affect students’ grades, treatment at school or access to school services.
View samples of the 2026 School Climate Survey here: