Market research case study:
Understanding what drives customer satisfaction in the education sector

Department for Education & Skills

The challenge

The Department for Education & Skills needed to understand levels of customer satisfaction amongst key stakeholders (public, parents, teachers, head teachers and children and young people). A customer focus team was set up within the corporate communications directorate.

DJS Research (through Danny Sims) was commissioned on an ongoing basis to provide consultancy support and implement a range of market research projects. 

The approach

Projects included:

  • Public perception survey: Measuring satisfaction with the education system among the public and parents.

  • Stakeholder tracking survey: Measuring satisfaction with the education system among head teachers, teachers, students, the public, and parents.

  • Children and young people survey: Measuring satisfaction with the education system among 14–17-year-olds.

The team also initiated a number of tactical, ad hoc research projects.

The results

Ongoing results were presented to the board to show levels of satisfaction over time. The analysis was also presented to the Secretary of State for Education.

In addition, the results were part of a wider initiative led by the Cabinet Office. The education results were benchmarked against customer satisfaction results from all other government departments.

Understanding what drives customer satisfaction in the education sector case study image 1 Understanding what drives customer satisfaction in the education sector case study image 2

Client testimonial: Department for Education & Skills

Education, Central government & non-department public bodies, Market research project design & management, Market research in-depth interviews, Market research focus groups, CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing), Public sector consultation, Customer satisfaction, Stakeholder

Danny has been working for the Department for Education & Skills (DfES) for some 18 months now. His market research experience and skills have been invaluable in taking forward the customer focus work in the Department. He has worked on a number of high profile projects including the management of surveys to track public and young people's perceptions. Part of this work includes presenting his analysis to the Secretary of State for Education. He has become renowned as a specialist source and he has built up an excellent reputation for high quality work and a pragmatic and challenging approach.”

Understanding what drives customer satisfaction in the education sector case study image 1

Case study:
Understanding what drives customer satisfaction in the education sector

Department for Education & Skills

The challenge

The Department for Education & Skills needed to understand levels of customer satisfaction amongst key stakeholders (public, parents, teachers, head teachers and children and young people). A customer focus team was set up within the corporate communications directorate.

DJS Research (through Danny Sims) was commissioned on an ongoing basis to provide consultancy support and implement a range of market research projects. 

The approach

The results

Ongoing results were presented to the board to show levels of satisfaction over time. The analysis was also presented to the Secretary of State for Education.

In addition, the results were part of a wider initiative led by the Cabinet Office. The education results were benchmarked against customer satisfaction results from all other government departments.

Understanding what drives customer satisfaction in the education sector case study image 2

Client testimonial: Department for Education & Skills

Education, Central government & non-department public bodies, Market research project design & management, Market research in-depth interviews, Market research focus groups, CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing), Public sector consultation, Customer satisfaction, Stakeholder

Danny has been working for the Department for Education & Skills (DfES) for some 18 months now. His market research experience and skills have been invaluable in taking forward the customer focus work in the Department. He has worked on a number of high profile projects including the management of surveys to track public and young people's perceptions. Part of this work includes presenting his analysis to the Secretary of State for Education. He has become renowned as a specialist source and he has built up an excellent reputation for high quality work and a pragmatic and challenging approach.”