As part of the Department’s commitment to transparency, we are now publishing more data, particularly at school level. We are also publishing data in new ways, developing a range of new formats and tools to help different people access and use the information to suit their needs. However, we are also committed to keeping older datasets and tools available, in parallel to the new tools and methods of publishing our data. This page provides information on the tools and sources of data used.

2011 School Performance Tables

This tool allows users to compare schools across a range of different indicators. It brings together and presents a range of data including on school attainment, school finance, pupil characteristics, absence, school workforce and Ofsted judgments. For the latest set of School Performance Tables, which enables users to compare schools using the latest 2011 data, visit the 2011 Performance Tables tool. Archived performance tables from 1994 to 2010 can also be found here.

The sources of data used within the School Performance Tables are as follows:

(a) School Attainment Data
School level data by level of education is available through the Performance Tables.

Primary Schools: The source for this data is the National Curriculum tests which are a measurement of achievement against the precise attainment targets of the National Curriculum, rather than any generalised concept of ability in any of the subject areas. The National Curriculum standards have been designed so that most pupils will progress by approximately one level every two years. For the latest national data please see the Statistical First Release.

Secondary Schools: The source of this data is the results data collated from Awarding Bodies as part of the Secondary School Performance Tables production. For the latest national data please see the Statistical First Release.

Schools and colleges (16 to 18): The source of this data is the results data collated from Awarding Bodies as part of the Secondary School and College Performance Tables production. For the latest national data please see the Statistical First Release.

(b) School Finance Data
The school finance tables allow schools to compare how they spend their funding and income with other schools and consider how they can use their resources more efficiently. It enables parents and the wider public to compare the spending of schools in their local area to help them ask questions about whether their local schools are getting good value for money across all their spending.

You can access the 2010-11 spend per pupil data on the 2011 Performance Tables tool. The income and expenditure data is taken from LA maintained schools’ 2010-11 Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) returns. This data shows school income and spending for the year and is provided to the Department by all LA maintained schools in England. Although schools are responsible for their own CFR returns, many work closely with their LA on their return before it is submitted to the Department. In some cases authorities have agreed with schools that they will prepare and submit the returns.

The raw data file for 2009-10 can be found using the 2010 compare schools data tool.

(c) Pupil Characteristics Data
The source of this data is the January 2011 School Census. The census includes characteristics information on pupils in state-funded nursery, primary and secondary schools, and special schools, in England. View the latest published data.

(d) Absence Data
The School Census collects information for pupil attendance in the term prior to the census. Absence data for autumn term 2010 and spring term 2011 combined, have been derived by linking pupil records collected in the spring 2011 census and summer 2011 census. The two term information relates to pupils in state-funded primary and secondary schools in England. View the latest published data on absence.

(e) Workforce Data
The source of this data is the School Workforce Census, which is an annual census that contains information on the school workforce in local authority maintained schools and academies in England. It is a snapshot of staff in post as at 4 November 2010. It provides detailed information on the numbers and characteristics of teachers, teaching assistants and other school support staff. More information about the School Workforce Census.

In Your Area tool

The In Your Area tool provides a broad range of indicators for your local area accessible by postcode search or interactive map. Topics include Key Stage 2, GCSE and A level results, Early Years education, class sizes, school workforce and pupils with special educational needs. The area data is available at five geographies: parliamentary constituency, ward, local authority distinct, local authority, and region. England figures are also provided. Information is sourced from a number of Departmental publications and is updated on a rolling basis. The site provides a five year time series of data including the latest data for 2011.

EduBase

This database is a register of all educational establishments in England and Wales. It provides details about the school characteristics, type, etc. It is the responsibility of the schools to maintain the information on Edubase. If you have any feedback, please provide this directly to EduBase.

Research and statistics gateway

The Research and statistics gateway contains the latest news and announcements about official statistics that the Department have published.

2010 compare schools tool

To compare up to five schools using data from 2006-2010, visit the 2010 compare schools tool.