“I am Loki of Asgard and I am burdened with glorious purpose”
Loki utters these words in the first Avengers film, sharing a belief in his pre-ordained right to power. At the risk of being a spoiler, it doesn’t end well for him.
The use of the word ‘burdened’ is used (I think) because Loki really does feel like he’s obligated to become a king – to claim victory over as many people as possible so he can feel worthy of glory and fulfilment.
It is also an acknowledgement that achieving his purpose will come at a cost.
The Glorious Purpose
As is the way these days, many schools (maybe less than in previous years) have been publishing their annual summer exam results on social media over the past few weeks.
Most have lots to celebrate – it’s been another bumper season after all – so why not share that your results are the “best ever”?
That said, some of the posts are so fervent that one can’t help but wonder if their exam results were, after all, the culmination of that school’s own ‘glorious purpose’. You would certainly think so.
For many schools, like it or not, exam results are how they define themselves, and it is how they wish others to define them – it has become their glorious purpose and burden.
The Burden
Attaining high averages and doing this year on year is a considerable burden for students, parents, teachers, and schools; the truth is that the expectation to maintain or improve results is stressful for everyone involved.
Indeed, there is such tremendous pressure for some schools that they have to pull hard on several levers to keep their success juggernaut going.
Here are some of the levers (off the top of my head) that some schools use:
- Lever 1. You can increase your average by only selecting students who can achieve the highest grades. You can do this through short entry assessments, ‘interviews’, or profiling student applications. You can even make this appear transparent, fair, and equitable.
- Lever 2. You can increase your average by becoming so exclusive that only the most affluent parents can afford to attend your school. This will also help ensure that your parents have the resources to invest in additional tutors. More tuition + more exam preparation = advantage and success.
- Lever 3. You can increase your average by reducing students’ choices when selecting their study options. Students can be directed to take the subjects with the highest probability of success.
- Lever 4. You can increase your average by removing or reducing superfluous activity outside the academic programme. There are so many school distractions that time could be spent on additional study or test preparation.
- Lever 5. You can increase your average by building a stronger competition culture within the school community. Remind parents, students, and teachers what ‘”success” looks like. Reward high attainment through scholarships, public accolades, and awards. Consider ranking students, too – it helps to focus the mind.
Pull on any of these levers, and your school averages will increase. It really is that simple.
Holistic Success
There is nothing wrong with celebrating students’ exam results. However, many schools are equally committed (in words at least) to being more diverse, more equitable, and more inclusive (DEI)—none of which are really championed by schools that pull these levers to perpetuate their success.
Furthermore, the impact on students within schools configured to achieve exam results is more visible than it has ever been, and there is an emerging narrative that suggests that such environments can significantly affect children’s mental health and well-being. And with so much focus on exam success, there is also a growing consensus that not enough time is being directed towards what David Perkins calls “life-worthy” learning – learning that matters.
Are We Worthy?
So, how do we become more worthy?
Perhaps we might expect to see more schools pulling on these counter-levers:
- Counter lever 1 – intentionally select students for diversity
- Counter lever 2 – reduce access barriers (particularly to achieve the above)
- Counter lever 3 – cultivate student choice and agency (particularly where young people want to follow their passion)
- Counter lever 4 – hold true to your holistic education philosophy – focus on learning
- Counter lever 5 – create a ‘best self’ culture
There are more ways to define success than exam result averages – we just have to get better at telling that story.
We can not afford to continue allowing exam success to hold DEI, mental health, well-being, voice, choice, and agency to ransom. Surely we can do better?
If I were to channel my inner Loki, the God of Mischief, I wonder if some schools out there would have the courage to celebrate their exam results going down in the worthy pursuit of being more accessible, inclusive, and diverse.
Or might that be a burden too far?
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