Life in the margins The pursuit of marginal gains can result in excellent performance in elite sport, so why not in our schools, says Adam Anstey, Head of School at Broomfield House School
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he world of high-performance sport is well known for focusing on the specific areas where marginal gains can result in exceptional performance. The general premise is that instead of pursuing big, unmanageable goals and expecting immediate results, improving incrementally, by just one per cent, in a host of smaller areas yields significant benefits. It is this approach which allows athletes to reach the top of the performance curve, the moment where all the preparation and training comes together at exactly the right time to give them the best chance of success. I have noticed an immediate correlation to this approach within education. More recently I have been reflecting on what it is that we actually do in schools which impacts not only academic performance, but on a child's development, well-being, and sense of belonging, in an entirely holistic way. It is ever more evident within the competitive London senior school market, that schools are looking for more than just
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