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Metrics that Matter: Improving Strategic Decision-Making in Education

14th March 2024

Article

Metrics that Matter: Improving Strategic Decision-Making in Education

Strategic decision-making is vital for the success and sustainability of schools and academy trusts.

As schools strive to meet the diverse needs of students and navigate complex challenges, the role of metrics in informing these decisions cannot be exaggerated. Metrics provide tangible data and insights that allow school leaders and HR professionals to make informed choices, driving continuous improvement and success.

    The Power of Metrics in Strategic Decision-Making

    Metrics offer quantifiable data that enables accurate assessment and identification of trends to inform decision-making. By adopting a data-driven approach, schools and academy trusts can align their HR strategies with overarching goals, optimise resource allocation, and create a culture of adaptability and excellence.

    Key Metrics Shaping Strategic Decision-Making

    • Absence metrics provide insights into absence patterns, optimise resources and enhance wellbeing
    • Turnover metrics allow you to understand reasons for employee’s leaving, inform retention strategies, and create a supportive environment
    • Performance metrics and insights drive talent development and alignment with an establishment’s overall goals
    • Employee engagement metrics are feedback mechanisms that promote collaboration and enhance employee wellbeing
    • Training & development metrics empower staff to thrive in their roles

    Some key benefits of using key metrics for decision making:

    • Cost Management
      Financial metrics allow schools and academies to evaluate the efficiency of recruitment processes, ensuring alignment with budgetary constraints.

    • Risk Management
      Metrics highlight areas of risk such as employee turnover, enabling proactive mitigation strategies to enhance resilience.

    • Workforce Planning
      Metrics such as turnover rates and demographics aid in anticipating staffing needs and addressing skills gaps.

    • Performance Management
      Metrics related to individual and team performance provide insights for talent recognition, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making.

    • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
      Monitoring EDI metrics guides decisions to create a diverse and inclusive culture, driving innovation and resilience.


    Metrics are not just numbers. They are valuable tools that help to shape the future of education. By assuming a data-driven approach and leveraging key metrics, schools and academy trusts can navigate challenges, drive excellence, and ultimately, ensure the success of every pupil.

    How Strictly Education can help…

    1. Our HR Advisory and Comprehensive service provides support to schools and academies to effectively manage their people throughout every stage of the employee lifecycle.

    2. EduPeople enables you to easily identify trends across your school or MAT, or deep-dive into specifics using a customisable dashboard and robust analytics and reporting features. Organise an EduPeople discovery call or contact us by email to find out how its data insights can help you.

    Get in touch on 0330 123 2549 or at enquire@strictlyeducation.co.uk we are happy to answer your questions.