Free Training Needs Survey Template
Ask staff which topics, formats and timings they need before you build the professional development calendar, and rank the gaps by role and phase.
Quick answer
Ask staff which topics, formats and timings they need before you build the professional development calendar, and rank the gaps by role and phase.
About this template
In-service training fails when the calendar is built from last year's catalog. This survey asks staff which topics they need, how they learn best, when they can attend, and what would stop them applying it - then ranks the gaps by role, phase and subject so the PD plan follows evidence from the people who have to attend it. Two open prompts at the end catch what the option list missed.
Live Preview
Fillable sample training needs survey preview - fields and options you can adjust before you publish.
What's Included
Everything you need to run this template.
Need and confidence together
A topic that is both urgent and unfamiliar gets planned first.
Format is a variable
Preference for sessions, coaching or async shapes the plan as much as topic.
Barriers surfaced early
Time, cover and workload answers arrive with the request.
Grouped analysis
Role, phase and subject fields let you read gaps by segment.
How It Works
From copy to deliverable in four steps.
Write the statements and scale
Copy it in and load your topic and format options.
Survey the staff
Ten minutes during a term, before the calendar is built.
Rank the gaps
Sort by topic need, low confidence and segment.
Build the calendar
Plan sessions and coaching around the ranked result.
Who Is This For
Pick your role — see how it fits your workflow.
PD and CPD coordinators
Set next year's program from staff evidence.
Principals and heads
See which subject teams are under-confident, not just keen.
Training managers
Match format and timing to constraints instead of hoping.
Key Features
What makes this template work as a professional deliverable.
- Topic list rated by need and confidence
- Preferred format: session, coaching, async or paired
- Timing and load constraints captured
- Barriers field: what stops application
- Ranked by role, phase and subject
- Two open prompts for the missed items
Sample Questions Inside
A preview of the real fields and prompts - adjust wording, options and length to your own process.
- Which topics would most improve your teaching this year? (select up to 3)
- Rate your current confidence in each selected topic (1-5)
- Which format helps you actually change practice? (select)
- When can you realistically attend or complete training?
- What would stop you applying what you learn? (open)
- Anything the training plan has missed (open)
- Your role, phase and subject for grouping