School guides
Plain-English explainers for the official data on UKSchoolSearch — not league tables or admissions advice.
- Guide 01
How to compare schools in England
Use official GIAS, Ofsted and DfE figures side by side — then visit schools and read full reports before deciding.
Read guide → - Guide 02
Ofsted ratings explained
We show the latest official Ofsted outcome for each school — either a classic overall grade or report-card judgements — without inventing ratings.
Read guide → - Guide 03
Understanding Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Attainment 8 measures GCSE-level results; Progress 8 estimates progress from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 4. Both come from official DfE tables.
Read guide → - Guide 04
Find schools near a postcode
Search by outward code or full postcode, refine by radius, then add nearby schools to your compare shortlist.
Read guide → - Guide 05
Primary vs secondary school data
Primary pages emphasise Key Stage 2 attainment; secondary pages emphasise Key Stage 4 measures. Ofsted and absence apply across phases where published.
Read guide →