In education, data plays a pivotal role in tracking student progress, informing teaching strategies and ensuring accountability. But what is education software, and how is it being used to harness data? For decades, teachers have relied on tools like Excel and Google Sheets to manage it, but are these tools effective? 

In a recent conversation, Brett Griffin, Founder and CEO of Pupil Progress, and Cameron Parker, International Speaker and Coach, discussed why these tools are no longer sufficient for today’s educational demands, and why dedicated education software is needed to transform student outcomes. 

Spreadsheets revolutionised data management in the 1980s, offering a centralised way to record and analyse information. They were initially a game-changer, but the landscape of education has evolved significantly since then. Today, the complexity and variety of qualifications have outgrown the capabilities of these tools.

Brett highlights a key issue: modern qualifications involve intricate calculations, including scaling factors, unit weightings, and varying grade boundaries. A single qualification might consist of multiple units, each with its own grade boundaries and weightings. Teachers using spreadsheets to manage these calculations face significant challenges:

• Accuracy: Ensuring precise calculations for grade predictions is daunting.

• Time: Teachers, already stretched thin, don’t have time to input and validate complex formulas.

• Detail: Spreadsheets often lack the granularity to show which topics students excel in or where they need improvement.

As Brett points out, even accountants, who once relied heavily on spreadsheets, have transitioned to specialised software like Xero and QuickBooks. Why should educators be any different?

Consider the case of a teacher assessing a student’s performance using spreadsheets. Brett recounts his daughter’s experience:

• Her grade prediction was based on two questions from different papers, cobbled together and graded out of 30 marks.

• The full paper, however, was out of 120 marks. The prediction’s accuracy was compromised, leading to unnecessary stress and confusion.

Without detailed insights into specific areas of strength and weakness, students are left with vague directions like “work harder” or “do better.” These generic suggestions do little to help students identify actionable steps to improve their performance.

Pupil Progress’ education software was created to address these limitations and provide a comprehensive, efficient alternative to spreadsheets. Our point solution eliminates the heavy lifting for teachers by:

• Automating Calculations: Teachers no longer need to create complex formulas to calculate grades or analyse performance.

• Providing Detailed Insights: The platform highlights specific areas where students are underperforming, showing how many marks they need to achieve a target grade.

• Streamlining Data Management: From entering question-level data to generating reports, the system simplifies the entire process.

In one example, Brett used Pupil Progress to analyse his daughter’s performance. Together, they identified key areas for improvement, calculated how many marks she needed to jump to the next grade, and devised a targeted revision plan. The result? A clear and actionable plan that transformed her outlook and results.

Pupil Progress doesn’t just help teachers; it’s a tool that benefits everyone involved in education:

• Students gain clarity on their current performance and what they need to do to improve.

• Parents appreciate detailed reports that explain their child’s progress and next steps.

• Heads of Department can efficiently monitor performance and ensure their teams meet targets.

• School Leaders have access to school-wide data, allowing them to make informed decisions and provide better support.

• Trust Leaders overseeing multiple schools can track progress across an entire trust seamlessly.

Unlike spreadsheets, which were originally designed for business and accounting, Pupil Progress software is built specifically for education. By automating time-consuming processes and providing actionable insights, it empowers teachers to focus on what matters most: teaching and supporting their students.

As Brett sums up, “Our software helps you do what you know you need to do faster and easier.” The result is a system that not only saves time but also enhances the entire educational experience—for students, teachers, and leaders alike.