About EveryStudentMatters

The EveryStudentMatters process is designed specifically around evaluating the outcomes of the Every Child Matters agenda. Every Child Matters is the Government’s vision for children’s services designed to help children and young people achieve the outcomes that are key to well-being in childhood and later life:

ESM is a consultation process in which students participate in answering a wide-range of questions about themselves and school life. Their responses provide a school with essential feedback on student concerns, attitudes and aspirations.

The results of the ESM process are collated in a report with five sections corresponding to each of the Every Child Matters outcomes. The report provides clear information for evaluating the contribution the school is making to meet these outcomes. It can be used to inform discussions with all members of the school community involved in students' well-being. The process can be repeated at any time to review progress in meeting targets for change.