Pivot explores how student perception data, particularly wellbeing and learning experience insights, has been leveraged to drive school improvement in two long-term educational partnerships, between Pivot and the Parramatta Diocese (NSW) since 2021, and with the Northern Territory Learning Commission (NTLC) for over seven years. Across these collaborations, the central aim has been to use student voice as a meaningful, real-time data source that informs systems-level change, fosters shared understanding, and improves outcomes for young people.

Across Australian schools, leaders and educators are overwhelmed by a “plethora of data”  from NAPLAN scores to wellbeing indicators, yet much of this information remains underutilised. Educators face real barriers:

• Lack of clarity and accessibility: Teachers often find data difficult to interpret or irrelevant to their daily practice.
• Disconnection between data and student experience: Systemic changes are designed, but it’s unclear whether students actually feel the impact.
• Fear and distrust of data: When data is used punitively, it can lead to defensive teaching cultures.
• Low student engagement in change processes: Students are rarely included meaningfully in data discussions or improvement decisions.

These issues lead to data fatigue, underused insights, and stalled school improvement efforts.

Pivot’s platform was designed to transform complex data into actionable insights, empowering both educators and students to engage in continuous improvement.

1. Digestible, Classroom-Relevant Data

Pivot’s feedback tools focus on gathering student voice data about learning, engagement, and wellbeing in a way that is immediately relevant to teachers. Visual dashboards simplify interpretation and highlight trends, allowing educators to:

• Reflect on their teaching practices
• Respond quickly to student needs
• Monitor changes over time with longitudinal tracking

“Unless data is meaningful and easily digestible for teachers, it’s easy to ignore.” – Dr. Mark Compton

2. Centring the Student Voice

Pivot ensures student feedback isn’t a box-ticking exercise, but a genuine input into teaching and system-level strategy. Their tools help educators:

• Hear what students are really experiencing
• Co-design interventions with student involvement
• Track whether intended changes are truly experienced by learners

3. Building Confidence in Data Use

Through training, support tools, and clear protocols, Pivot helps schools build data literacy across leadership levels. By equipping middle leaders with the skills and confidence to lead data discussions, schools can embed sustainable change.

This also promotes a culture of transparency and curiosity, not fear  where educators can “stand around the data like a campfire” and explore meaning, rather than react defensively.

4. Systemic Impact through Collaboration

Pivot’s long-term partnerships with systems like the Northern Territory Learning Commission and the Diocese of Parramatta demonstrate how the tool supports:

• Policy reform informed by student perception
• Equity-driven approaches, amplifying quieter voices
• Longitudinal measurement of student-led initiatives

In one example, feedback from students reframed attendance not just as a goal, but as an indicator of real engagement. This insight informed a new 10-year educational participation strategy.

• Increased teacher engagement with data in decision-making
• Enhanced student agency in shaping their learning environments
• Greater alignment between policy intentions and student experience
• Stronger trust in leadership and improvement processes

In conclusion, Pivot bridges the gap between data collection and real classroom change. By making student voice central, demystifying data, and building the capacity of educators, Pivot helps schools move from insight to impact,  where every stakeholder, especially students, feels heard and empowered in the learning journey.

Recorded at EDUtech Sydney 2025