Secondary school performance measures in England – their effectiveness, their effects and an exploration of alternative approaches

Following their introduction over three decades ago, school performance measures (SPMs) now feel like a central component of the education system in England. Generations of teachers, school leaders and school governors have little or no experience of a school system which did not include such performance metrics. For some, they play an essential role in holding schools to account for the important work that they do. For others, the existence of such high-stakes performance measures shapes, or even distorts, many aspects of the work in and around schools.
This project investigates the use, effectiveness and effects of secondary school performance measures in England. Drawing upon quantitative and qualitative methods, including gathering rich data in the form of the opinions of stakeholders, thematic analysis of government documentation and the use of advanced quantitative approaches, it uses theoretical frameworks which draw on Critical Data Studies (CDS), Fairness, Accountability, Transparency and Ethics (FATE) and academic fields related to policy logic. This research examines and evaluates the complex functions of SPMs. Based on the findings of this work, new approaches to the SPM system are proposed.
While others have conducted research in this field, this has been dominated by quantitative and statistical critiques of the specific measures used and their calculation. This work adopts a far more holistic approach, seeking to gain a thorough understanding of the entire data assemblage associated with school performance and accountability.
The outcomes of this project are twofold. First, the production of a PhD thesis will contribute to the understanding of school performance measures in England. Second, new approaches to school accountability are suggested. The considerable experience of the researcher in the education system, the unique, holistic and critical approach of this project and innovative work which seeks to harness new, advanced quantitative approaches mean that the findings of this research have the potential to inform and influence policy in this important area.