St Edmund's
Albert Einstein, in addition to being an incredible mathematician and physicist, was also eminently quotable.
I confess, I have used many Einstein-isms, to extricate myself from speechwriting black holes over the years.
This week, I read that the great man once said:
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value” and, not for the first time, he got me thinking.
In independent schools, the concept of “value” is multi-faceted.
We often talk of “value-added” when analysing examination results. Essentially this is a measure of individual and institutional performance against standard benchmarks. In schools like ours, with small classes and excellent teaching, “value-added” scores are usually very high. When you are looking at a school for your child, do not just look at raw examination results, ask to see the value-added performance of the school and its departments. As I write, we are completing the analysis of our value-added performance for the 2025 summer examination period.
At St Edmund’s we also base our approach to teaching on five “core values.” These are that we value each other, intellectually curiosity and creativity, individuality, excellence and social responsibility. These form the foundation of our whole approach to education. They represent the personal qualities we seek to develop in our students, and they underpin our day-to-day management of the school. When your values are clear, making decisions is easier. St Edmund’s parents should feel that in all their interactions with staff and the school leadership these values are prevalent.
“Value” has also been a key variable in the decisions that families make about the education of their children. Given the current economic strains on the country, prospective parents often ask me what the “value” of a St Edmund’s education in comparison with the state sector or other independent schools is. This is a completely fair and understandable question and one I am always happy to answer. However, the best way to find out the answer is to come and see for yourself (our Open Day is on Saturday 20th September).
Einstein’s assertion “strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value” is especially interesting. As I have got older, it is a lesson that I have learned by experience. For me, Einstein means something that is nuanced and powerful. He is redefining “success” from narrow and personal (if you like selfish) ambition to one where it is measured by your contribution to wider unselfish goals. Real success, through this lens, is quantified by the value you create for the wider community which you serve and inhabit. Real happiness lies there too.
In short, as Einstein also said, “the value of a person resides in what they give, not in what they are capable of receiving.”
As St Edmund’s we strive through a values-based education, to instil that message in all our young people.
Ed O’Connor
Head
