In short
School improvement plans should start with emotional data, not just academic performance. Emotional data captures how students feel, think and respond, and how those patterns affect their learning. When schools put it at the heart of planning, they can spot issues early and target support, which Performance Learning links to better behaviour, attendance, motivation and attainment.
Key takeaways
- Grades and progress measures are critical, but on their own they only tell part of the story.
- Emotional data captures how students feel, think and respond emotionally, and how this shapes learning.
- With attendance challenges and student anxiety rising, wellbeing and attainment are no longer separate conversations.
- Performance Learning’s software gathers real-time insights into student mindset, confidence and learning habits.
- Emotional data helps schools move from reactive to proactive, tailoring support before attainment suffers.
As school leaders begin to plan for the 2025/26 academic year, the main school improvement plan will (rightly) focus driving better outcomes.
But too often, school improvement plans start with one type of data: academic performance. While grades and progress measures are critical, they only tell part of the story.
To drive meaningful and sustainable improvement, schools need to start with emotional data.
What is emotional data?
Emotional data is information that captures how a person feels, thinks and responds emotionally.
It provides us with the insights that help us understand how students feel and think, and how these patterns influence their ability to learn.
After another turbulent year marked by attendance challenges, student anxiety and fluctuating engagement, more and more are recognising that wellbeing and attainment are no longer separate conversations.
How can schools measure emotional data?
Well, that’s exactly where Performance Learning can help.
Our software allows schools to gather real-time insights into student mindset, confidence levels and learning habits.
The data, which is presented in an easy-to-understand format, creates a foundation on which targeted, evidence-based interventions can be built.
The only way to change the world and make it a better place is to positively influence the generations that today look up to you – Dr. Tej Samani, founder of Performance Learning
When schools place this type of data at the heart of their improvement planning, they see measurable change.
Expect reduced behavioural incidents, improved attendance and gains in both student motivation and academic performance.
The most successful schools build plans that prioritise not just performance, but the people behind it.
Ready to put emotional data at the heart of your school improvement plan?
When students feel seen, heard and understood, they engage more deeply with their learning.
Emotional data helps schools move from reactive to proactive, by identifying issues early and tailoring support before academic performance starts to suffer.
Book a free Performance Learning demo today and discover how our award-winning platform helps schools turn insight into measurable impact.
Frequently asked questions
What is emotional data in schools?
Emotional data is information that captures how a person feels, thinks and responds emotionally. In schools, it gives leaders insight into how students feel and think, and how those patterns influence their ability to learn. It sits alongside academic data such as grades and progress measures, which are critical but only tell part of the story about why students succeed or struggle.
Why should a school improvement plan include emotional data?
Many improvement plans start with academic performance alone. With attendance challenges, student anxiety and fluctuating engagement, more schools recognise that wellbeing and attainment are linked. Putting emotional data at the heart of planning helps schools identify issues early and tailor support before academic performance suffers, moving from a reactive approach to a proactive one. Performance Learning links this to fewer behavioural incidents and improved attendance.
How can schools measure student emotional data?
Performance Learning’s software allows schools to gather real-time insights into student mindset, confidence levels and learning habits. The data is presented in an easy-to-understand format and creates a foundation on which targeted, evidence-based interventions can be built. Schools can book a free demo of the platform to see how it could support their improvement planning.
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