In short
Performance Learning helps independent and private schools identify gaps in pupils' skills, wellbeing and behaviour, profile school culture and accelerate exam results. At Rugby School every pupil takes part in the programme, and Eton College evaluates pupils through Performance Learning's questionnaires, giving Housemasters insight and targeted coaching for pupils who need it. Pricing is per pupil and depends on scope.
Why are independent schools using Performance Learning?
Independent school leaders have to balance each pupil’s wellbeing, mental health, physical health and academic performance. Pupils who appear to be flying can be carrying anxieties that grades don’t show, and pastoral teams need more than instinct to find them.
Performance Learning helps independent and private schools identify gaps in skills, wellbeing and behaviour, profile school culture and accelerate exam results and test scores. It gives you evidence, not hunches, about where each pupil needs support. Not every child will attain the highest grade, but every child can attain their full potential with the right support.
How do Rugby School and Eton College use Performance Learning?
A select number of independent schools across the UK have embraced Performance Learning across their whole student body.
- Rugby School: every pupil takes part in the Performance Learning programme.
- Eton College: pupils are evaluated through Performance Learning’s questionnaires, giving Housemasters valuable insight and targeted coaching for the pupils who need it. Eton enrolled Year 9 and 10 pupils to build time management, stress management and exam preparation.
Other independent schools that have worked with Performance Learning include St Edward’s Oxford, Strathallan School and Sunningdale School.
What does Performance Learning provide for independent schools?
| What you get | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Foresight questionnaire | An anonymised online questionnaire that profiles more than 75 learner dimensions for each pupil and the whole cohort |
| Individual and cohort reports | Strengths to celebrate as well as areas for growth, so tutors and Housemasters can drill into individual needs |
| Alert levels | Flag pupils whose wellbeing or learning behaviours need attention, so pastoral care can be directed early |
| SOAR online lessons | Develop pupils’ metacognition so they understand how to be better learners |
| Coaching and workshops | Live sessions on boosting wellbeing, improving retention and supporting individual learning styles |
| Staff training | CPD-accredited staff diplomas and a Level 3 Ofqual-regulated diploma for teachers |
How does it support pastoral care and wellbeing?
Foresight looks at wellbeing factors such as sleep, energy, learning attitudes and mental health to gauge how ready each pupil is to learn. That lets pastoral and academic staff act at the right time, rather than waiting for a pupil’s grades to drop.
- Early warning signs. Foresight alerts you to intellectual and emotional warning signs before they hinder progress.
- Shared reports. Detailed reports can be shared with pupils, parents and staff, so everyone supporting a pupil works from the same picture.
- Cohort and culture profiling. Group reports reveal issues that run across a house, year group or the whole school, not just individual concerns.
- Personalised skills coaching. SOAR combines wellbeing data with academic progress to tailor each pupil’s learning, building confidence as well as results.
How does it work for a GCSE year group?
For a Year 11 cohort, a GCSE-focused programme with Performance Learning includes:
- an initial assessment for each pupil in Year 11
- comprehensive feedback reports on the cohort and on individual pupils
- identification of key areas for improvement, such as organisation, confidence, stress and wellbeing
- access to tailored online lessons that address specific areas of weakness
Pupils rated high risk can also receive in-person coaching, while those rated low risk follow self-led stretch coaching. The same approach works for younger year groups. See how it runs across Years 7 to 11 on our secondary schools page.
Who leads the work?
Performance Learning was founded by Dr Tej Samani, who completed doctoral research focused on improving exam results and assessment in schools and has co-authored peer-reviewed papers on artificial intelligence in education.
Andrew Lewin, Education Development Director, is a former headteacher and a former director at the Boarding Schools’ Association. Performance Learning’s advisers include Professor Michael Thomas, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Birkbeck, University of London, who has directed the Centre for Educational Neuroscience since 2010. You can meet the wider team on our about us page.
What is the evidence?
Students using Performance Learning improved by an average of 2.4 grades against their predicted grades (Thomas et al., 2024, an analysis of 940 students led by Birkbeck’s Centre for Educational Neuroscience).
The method is built on more than a decade of research into how pupils learn, including Dr Tej’s peer-reviewed work on using pupils’ non-cognitive self-reports to predict learning outcomes. Read the papers on our research page.
Plans are priced per pupil and depend on scope; compare them on our school pricing options page.
Frequently asked questions
Which independent schools work with Performance Learning?
Independent schools that have worked with Performance Learning include Eton College, Rugby School, St Edward's Oxford, Strathallan School and Sunningdale School. At Rugby School every pupil takes part in the programme, and Eton College uses Performance Learning's questionnaires to give Housemasters insight into their pupils, with targeted coaching for those who need it.
Can Housemasters and tutors see individual pupil profiles?
Yes. Every pupil receives an individual profile showing their results, strengths and areas for improvement, and alert levels highlight pupils who may need support. The Premium and Enhanced plans add individual teacher access and staff reporting, so tutors and Housemasters can drill into the needs of their own pupils and direct pastoral care where it is needed.
Is Performance Learning only for pupils who are struggling?
No. Performance Learning is designed to maximise the potential of all pupils, including those who are hard to reach. Pupils rated low risk follow self-led stretch coaching on SOAR, and the same assessment helps you find high achievers who may be carrying hidden anxieties. Reports also show strengths to celebrate, not just areas for development.
Can it be used with prep school pupils?
Yes. Foresight is built for children aged 8 and over, so it can be used from Year 4 in prep schools as well as across senior school and sixth form. The design is calm and child-friendly for younger pupils, who can reflect on their answers without the pressure of finding a 'right' one.
How long does the pupil questionnaire take?
The Foresight assessment takes about 25 minutes and is completed online, individually or as a whole cohort. It profiles more than 75 dimensions of how a pupil feels, behaves and engages with learning. Results feed into individual profiles, alert levels and cohort reports, giving pastoral and academic staff the same picture of each pupil.
How is pupil data protected?
Performance Learning processes personal data in line with GDPR and protects it with strict security measures, including encryption and secure servers, with access limited to authorised personnel. Your school keeps control over the data it shares, who it is shared with and for how long. Performance Learning also has a Data Protection Officer you can contact with any questions.
How much does Performance Learning cost for an independent school?
School plans are priced per pupil, in GBP excluding VAT, across three tiers: Standard (£3–15 per pupil), Premium (£5–45) and Enhanced (£15–85). Your price depends on scope, such as how many pupils and year groups take part and whether you want coaching and staff training. Book a call for a quote tailored to your school.