Ages 7 to 11

Data collection can be difficult to arrange as a full-time class teacher and subject leader. Try adapting the key stage 2 database units of work so the pupils collect and analyse the data with you.

Explain the type of data you need, eg, pupils’ opinions on reading and writing. Have them work in mixed ability groups to design a questionnaire, conduct the survey by interviewing pupils across the school, create a database with their own fields and enter the results.

I arranged for Year 3 to investigate reading while Year 4 gathered information about writing. The pupils then analysed the data and created bar graphs and pie charts of the results.

The work was displayed in a central location to be shared with the other pupils

Catherine Caldwell is deputy headteacher at Weston Primary School in Hertfordshire