Academic Value-add: the ultimate metric for judging schools

Academic Value-Added is, in my view, the most interesting and valuable way of evaluating a school's performance. This metric allows comparison of the school's effectiveness in teaching, as opposed to how selective its admissions criteria are.

While traditional 'raw' metrics like exam results and university entries are of course important, they only tell part of the story. Academic Value-Added, on the other hand, contextualises those outcomes; it measures how much a school has helped its students improve academically over time, regardless of their starting point.

This data is particularly important because it takes into account the unique circumstances and challenges that each student faces. It is a fairer way of measuring progress, as it relies on a whole range of contributing factors, acknowledging that students make progress at different times and rates, and should be celebrated and recognised regardless.

Furthermore, focusing on Academic Value-Added encourages schools to focus on continuous improvement in their teaching practices. It incentivises them to provide personalised support to each student, identify their strengths and weaknesses and tailor their education accordingly. Some schools that do this brilliantly are Hurstpierpoint College, Colfe's School, St James Senior Boys'​ School, Bryanston School, King Edward's Witley and St Teresa’s Effingham.

In short, Academic Value-Added measures not just the final outcome, but also the JOURNEY and how much a school has contributed to its students' growth and development. This should be the most important factor when judging a school's performance and effectiveness.

To read more on this topic, follow this link: https://www.cem.org/what-is-value-added

Picture: 'Solitary Orpheus' (1973) by Giorgio de Chirico, Museo Carlo Bilotti, Rome