Unlocking Success

St. Francis’ College has always been committed to delivering a holistic education that goes beyond traditional academic measures. Indeed, we often find ourselves asking where the national benchmarks are for kindness, philanthropy, helping others, leadership, community, critical thinking, and creativity. In a world where exam results are all too often considered the ultimate, or indeed, only benchmark of success, these values are often undervalued.

On an academic level, we place great emphasis on “Value-Added” data and how it complements our commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals, just as much as our outstanding raw examination results of which we are so proud.

Value-Added data is a measurement that reflects the progress students make during their educational journey, relative to their starting point. It takes into account the individual starting point of each student and compares their actual progress to expected progress, based on their prior achievements and potential. Essentially, it evaluates the value that an educational institution adds to a student’s development. As a small independent school that doesn’t simply welcome the brightest students, these measures are particularly important to us.

To measure this data, we use nationally recognised MidYis, Yellis, and ALIS testing from the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring at Durham University. Results give us a guide against thousands of previous candidates nationally as to potential outcomes against a defined individual starting point. When analysing results in public examinations, where pupils exceed their “expected” outcomes, we can measure the added-value of their attainments whilst at the College. As an example, in our most recent 2023 GCSE examinations, each student achieved more than a grade’s value to their “expected outcome” across their subjects.

At St. Francis’ College, we place great emphasis on each pupil’s journey of growth and development. Value-Added data plays a vital role in this journey by recognizing the individual progress and the unique qualities of each student. It helps us tailor our teaching methods, offer targeted support, and build a community that celebrates the overall development of our students. St. Francis’ College is not just an institution; it is a community that cares for the well-being and development of each and every one of its students. As we continue to prioritise Value-Added data, we remain committed to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are not only academically successful but also confident, resilient, and prepared to excel in life beyond the classroom.