Right now, I’m navigating the challenge of choosing a secondary school for my eldest son. Having spent my entire career in education, (including time as a Deputy Head overseeing the transition from primary to secondary), you’d think this would be a decision I’d be well-equipped to make. Yet, like every other parent of a child in Year 6, I find myself grappling with the same key questions:
- Does the school deliver strong academic outcomes?
- What extracurricular opportunities are available?
- How does the school support students’ wellbeing?
- And, most importantly, will my child be happy and thrive here?
With this personal perspective in mind, I joined the second meeting of ImpactEd Group’s Research Commission on Engagement and Lead Indicators, generously hosted by Vince Green, CEO of Summit Learning Trust.
We explored early insights from England’s largest study on student engagement, drawing on data from over 80,000 students. The findings were striking, offering valuable insights that could shape how schools approach engagement and, ultimately, drive school improvement.
The Year 7 Engagement Cliff
One of the most striking insights was the pivotal role Year 7 plays in sustaining student engagement. Data analysis reveals a sharp drop in engagement between Year 7 and Year 8 - described in our meeting as a ‘ski slope’ (or even an avalanche!). This raises an urgent question: What happens in schools between Year 7 and Year 8 that causes engagement to decline so sharply?
Girls Feel Less Safe in Secondary Schools
Another worrying trend in the data is that girls report feeling less safe in secondary school and experience greater anxiety about attending compared to boys. This begs the questions: What is driving this disparity and how can schools create safer, more inclusive environments where all students feel secure and supported?
Schools Can - and Do - Buck the Trend
Of course, this is just one set of data, and there’s much more to explore, with results from the second census already starting to come in. However, it already highlights key areas where schools and trusts can focus their efforts and initiate meaningful conversations, such as understanding what’s happening during the spring and summer terms of Year 7.
Equally important, the data points to schools that appear to be bucking these trends. As more data comes in, we hope that schools demonstrating sustained positive outcomes will offer actionable insights, helping other schools to intervene effectively and improve engagement across the board.
This truly encapsulates the ethos of Challenge Partners. We are deeply committed to improving educational outcomes through collaboration and evidence-based practice. By identifying, capturing and sharing what works, all children can benefit from the combined wisdom of the education system.
As I weigh up the options for my own son’s next educational chapter this week, I find myself asking not just where he will achieve academically but where he will feel engaged, included and happy.
Ultimately, a school that prioritises engagement is one where every child can thrive.
And isn't that what we all want?
Follow this link to find out more about the first-ever national study on student engagement in the country.