Understanding Success: A Personalised Journey for Every Student
- Dr Suzanne Stewart
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
When we talk about success, it often raises more questions than answers, especially for educators. Common questions include:
How do we define success?
How can success be measured?
What does student success look like?
How do students know when they’ve been successful?
Is success the same for every student?
What drives success?
Can success truly be measured by an A–E grade?
This blog explores these questions and offers new ways to rethink how we define and support student success.
Understanding That Success Is Personal
Success is not a one-size-fits-all concept—it’s personal and subjective. What one person considers a success may differ from another’s perspective. This makes it difficult to measure using traditional methods in a school setting.
As educators, we need to ask: How do we define and measure success in a way that is meaningful for every student? More importantly, how do we help students recognise and celebrate their own achievements?
Starting with Awareness
The first step is helping students understand what success means—and believe they are capable of achieving it. When success is defined solely by grades, students who find learning challenging may feel discouraged or disengaged.
Instead, learning should be seen as a journey, with personal goal setting acting as signposts along the way. Shifting the focus from grades to growth allows students to see success as multifaceted, encompassing academic progress, as well as social, emotional, and personal development.
Helping Students Recognise Their Success
A strong school culture fosters a shared understanding of success. This includes developing a common language around growth mindset, goal setting, and the use of clear learning intentions and success criteria. When students know what they are learning and why, their learning becomes more purposeful.
Celebrating all forms of success—not just academic outcomes—emphasises progress and effort. Making time for students to set goals and reflect on their growth builds confidence and nurtures lifelong skills.
When students experience success, they are more likely to stay motivated. In this way, goal setting becomes a powerful tool that helps students take ownership of their learning journey.
Recognising Diverse Forms of Success
In neurodiverse classrooms, success will naturally look different for every student. Each learner brings unique strengths, challenges, and needs, so it’s essential not to focus solely on academic achievement.
For students with an Individualised Education Plan (IEP), goals should be tailored to meet specific academic, social, and emotional needs. Success might look like improved social skills, better emotional regulation, or progress in navigating peer interactions.
Likewise, a student who struggles academically may experience success by mastering a challenging concept or making meaningful progress in a targeted area.
Supporting Success in the Classroom
Teachers play a crucial role in shaping how students experience success. Differentiating learning intentions and success criteria helps personalise goals and ensures they are achievable and relevant.
Embedding growth mindset practices and creating safe, inclusive environments where students are encouraged to take risks with their learning is essential. Timely, constructive feedback—especially when it includes clear next steps—guides students on their path to improvement.
While we are still bound by the formal grading system, it’s equally important to recognise and celebrate other aspects of learning: effort, creativity, collaboration, resilience, and perseverance. These qualities build self-esteem and contribute to a more holistic view of what it means to succeed.
Final Thoughts
When we acknowledge and celebrate the individual journeys of our students, success becomes more than just a grade—it becomes a reflection of growth, effort, and persistence. Watch this inspiring TEDTalks Education by Rita Pierson, Every kid needs a champion.
By shifting our focus to personal development—whether academic, social, emotional, or behavioural—we empower students to take pride in every step forward. In doing so, success becomes a meaningful and personal experience for every learner.
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