Malvern College on learning from business

Malvern College Headmaster Keith Metcalfe on learning from business in order to deliver positive change and innovative education approaches for tomorrow 

The challenges facing the education sector have been well documented. From rising costs to shifting expectations, schools are navigating uncertain terrain. While much has been debated about how best to address these issues, one thing is clear: the same old solutions may not suffice. Sometimes, it is necessary to look beyond education – to think differently in order to find these new solutions. The commercial sector is one such area where lessons could be learned. 

Over the last few years, we’ve worked diligently to model outcomes and plan for various scenarios to ensure our decisions today are fit for the future. But we’ve also recognised that truly innovative solutions often require stepping outside the bubble of education and simply looking at what other great schools are doing.     

This philosophy isn’t new to Malvern. And it doesn’t just benefit the way the school runs – our staff are a testament to the belief that excellence isn’t confined to one sector. The Arts Department boasts celebrated artists who’ve exhibited their work internationally. Our Head of Business came to us after a successful career in commerce. Economists with banking backgrounds and teachers who once performed or played professionally all bring invaluable real-world experience to the classroom and wider curriculum. Their perspectives enrich our pupils’ learning in ways that go far beyond the limits of conventional teacher training. 

Applying this same principle at an institutional level is vital for schools. For our part, we decided to invite strategic consultants, typically found advising the commercial world, to help us tackle the big questions facing education today. They come with fresh eyes, challenging assumptions and empowering us to rethink not only how we operate but also how we deliver education. 

“Economists with banking backgrounds and teachers who once performed or played professionally all bring invaluable real-world experience”

This process isn’t just about identifying efficiencies – although that is certainly part of it – It’s about taking a step back and asking: Is there a better way to do this? To be effective, change cannot come from the top-down. It has to be driven by the people who live and breathe the school every day – those on the ‘shop floor’ (gemba, to use the lean management term).

Assembling a diverse group of staff from across an organisation is the key to success. Our group, over five days, examined every aspect of current practices, scrutinising processes, identifying unintentional waste (muda), and considering alternatives. Freed from the constraints of ‘how things have always been done’, they developed new approaches to education and operations alike. 

The outcome was transformative. Staff didn’t just present ideas; they owned them. By involving everyone from the ‘shop floor’ upwards, we’ve ensured that these changes will be authentic and sustainable. Borrowing from the business world may not be a traditional approach for a school, but in today’s climate, originality and adaptability are essential. To develop the role models of tomorrow means straying from tradition today.

Education isn’t static and, by embracing fresh perspectives and empowering staff to lead change, we are not just navigating the storm but setting a course for the future. After all, every day’s a school day – even for us. 

Malvern College malverncollege.org.uk

Further reading: Teaching entrepreneurship – four schools talk business