Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS)

All government schools must participate in AtoSS, providing the opportunity for students from Year 4 to Year 12 to complete the survey. The survey provides data that helps the department understand student perspectives of their school and to improve the schooling experience.

Data collected includes how students feel in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general.

AtoSS is aligned with the department’s Framework for Improving Student Outcomes 2.0. Data from the survey are used to inform school improvement and planning to support student learning and wellbeing.

2024 key findings

In 2024, over 370,000 Victorian students in Years 4 to 12 from 1,531 schools participated in AtoSS, representing 83.5% of eligible students.

Key findings

2024 AtoSS shows a shift to positive trends across most survey factors, especially for secondary school students. 88% of survey factors improved for Years 10-12, and 81% for Years 7-9. There were gains across the board for effective teaching practice and teacher-student relations
This year saw significant improvements in all stages of schooling compared to 2023, with the largest improvements for health and wellbeing factors, many of which were the most positive results since health and wellbeing questions were added to AtoSS in 2021.
There were improvements across all year level groups for emotional awareness and regulation, peer relationships, and help seeking.
Since 2021, there have been improvements in key health and wellbeing factors, such as physical activity, resilience and life satisfaction. Secondary school students had the largest overall gains. This is in line with post-COVID-19 pandemic improvements in life satisfaction seen among Australian adults, which have coincided with decreasing levels of social isolation (Biddle and Gray 2023).
Most students report being in good or excellent physical health.
The majority of students report positive peer relationships.
Most students report that their teachers have high expectations for success and believe that they can do well at school
The majority of students do not experience bullying or racism at school.

Data snapshot

Download the data snapshot to see more key findings from the survey:

Case studies

Learn how Carrum Primary School and Lyndale Secondary have incorporated the Student Attitudes to School Survey into their schools.

Carrum Primary School surveys students throughout the year to understand what their needs are.
Classroom teachers then talk through the results with students and look at what can be done to improve their engagement with their learning.
The regular checking in is reflected in the school’s annual Student Attitudes to School Survey results, which this year showed that students feel really engaged in learning, they have adults at the school that they can talk to (teachers and education support staff) if they have any concerns, and they have a stimulating learning environment.
“I have lots of choice of what to do in class,” said school leader and Year 6 student Avery.
“We get to work sometimes with our friends and sometimes with other people who help us to do our best work at school.”
“Junior School Council did a survey of the students that showed that most students felt that there has been extra support added in each classroom,” added Avery’s fellow school leader and Year 6 student Jude.
School Principal Clem Langford said the regular surveys meant school staff could better understand and cater to individual student needs.
He said teachers also completed professional learning enabling them to build strong relationships with students, including building consistent daily routines to support students.
“The surveys make it clear to the students that we value their opinions,” he said.
“It’s about building a strong relationship across the whole school community — with the students and with their families.
“This helps create a sense of belonging because the students know that everyone is working together to help them achieve.”
Living the school values of respect, resilience and responsibility is at the core of Lyndale Secondary College’s stellar Attitudes to School Survey results.
This year’s results indicated that students felt supported, engaged, and connected and reflected the school’s positive learning environment.
“Students at this school respect their teachers because they take the time to get to know you as a person, not just a learner” College Year 9 student Ruby said.
“Collaboration is strong at Lyndale. We feel confident to share our ideas and experiences with our peers and staff because of the trust we have in each other," said Year 12 student Amar.
College Principal Pam Robinson said one of the key reasons for the school’s success was its commitment to following consistent, clearly communicated high expectations across all areas of school life.
“I am incredibly proud of our achievements and growth,” Ms Robinson said.
“Everything we do reflects our school’s core values of respect, resilience, and responsibility, which we see as the foundation for personal growth and achievement.
“These values guide not only our daily interactions but also our broader approach to education. “Respect ensures that every student feels valued and heard, resilience encourages them to persist through challenges, and responsibility empowers them to take ownership of their learning and actions.”

Further resources

More information

For more information about AtoSS, please refer to Data Collection and Surveys or email school.surveys@education.vic.gov.au

Education

Updated 6 November 2024