Frequently Asked Questions

FindMySchool is a comprehensive platform that helps parents and students navigate the education system in England. We provide detailed information about schools, including performance metrics, Ofsted ratings, and rankings to help you make informed decisions about education.

You can search for schools using our search bar by entering a postcode, city, or school name. You can also use our advanced filters to narrow down results by school type, gender, age range, religious character, and performance metrics. Our interactive map view allows you to explore schools in specific areas.

Yes, FindMySchool is completely free to use. You can search for schools, view detailed information, compare schools, and save your favorites without any charges. We believe in making educational information accessible to everyone.

Our rankings are based on a combination of academic performance metrics including A-Level results (A*/A/B grades), GCSE results (Grade 7+ achievement rates), and Oxbridge success rates. We also provide separate rankings for primary schools based on SATs results. All data is sourced from official government statistics and updated annually.

The Combined Rank is our comprehensive score that takes into account both A-Level and GCSE performance. This gives you a holistic view of a school's overall academic excellence across different age groups and qualifications. Schools with consistently high performance across both metrics rank higher in our combined rankings.

We update our data annually when the Department for Education releases official school performance statistics, typically in autumn following the summer exam results. Ofsted ratings are updated as soon as new inspection reports are published. School contact information and basic details are verified and updated quarterly.

Each school profile includes: academic performance data (A-Levels, GCSEs, SATs), Ofsted ratings, national and local rankings, admission policies, contact information, school capacity, age ranges, gender requirements, religious character, special provisions (sixth form, boarding, SEN), and location details. We also show nearby schools for comparison.

Use our Compare feature by clicking the "+ Compare" button on any school listing or profile. You can compare up to 4 schools side-by-side, viewing their key metrics, performance data, and features in an easy-to-read table format. This helps you make informed decisions when choosing between schools.

State Schools: Government-funded, free to attend
Grammar Schools: State schools with selective admission via 11+ exam
Independent Schools: Private schools that charge fees
Faith Schools: Schools with a religious character
Academies: State-funded but independently run
Free Schools: New state schools set up by groups

Click the star icon on any school listing or the "Save" button on a school's profile page. Saved schools are stored in your browser and can be accessed from the "Saved Schools" section. You can save unlimited schools and organize them into custom lists for easy comparison.

Yes, you can export your saved schools or comparison data as a CSV file for further analysis. This feature is available in the Saved Schools section and the Compare Schools tool. The export includes all key metrics and contact information.

Each school profile includes complete contact information including phone numbers, email addresses (where available), and website links. You can find this information in the Contact section of any school's profile page. We recommend contacting schools directly for admissions inquiries, open days, and specific questions.