Our Methodology
Understanding how we calculate school rankings and scores to help you make informed decisions
Explore Our ProcessRanking Overview
FindMySchool provides comprehensive rankings for schools across England, combining multiple data points to give parents and students a complete picture of school performance. Our methodology is designed to be transparent, fair, and reflective of what matters most in education.
We analyze over 3,500 schools annually, processing millions of data points from official government sources to create our rankings. Each school is evaluated across five key performance areas, with scores calculated using standardized metrics to ensure fair comparisons.
Combined Score
Weight given to combined A-Level and GCSE performance in overall ranking
A-Level Results
Based on percentage of A*/A/B grades achieved
GCSE Performance
Percentage achieving Grade 7+ in core subjects
Oxbridge Success
Oxford & Cambridge offer rates (where applicable)
Ofsted Rating
Latest inspection rating and improvement trajectory
Data Sources
We use only official government data sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All data is verified and cross-referenced to maintain the highest standards of integrity in our rankings.
Department for Education
Official school performance tables and examination results
Ofsted Reports
Latest inspection ratings and school improvement data
School Census Data
Student demographics, capacity, and admission information
Historical Performance Data
5-year trends in academic achievement and progress measures
Scoring Methodology
Our scoring system converts raw performance data into standardized scores between 0-100, allowing fair comparison between different types of schools. Each metric is normalized using statistical methods to account for variations in cohort sizes and school contexts.
Combined Score Calculation
Each component score is calculated using percentile rankings within peer groups. For example, a school in the 90th percentile for GCSE results receives a GCSE score of 90. This ensures that schools are compared fairly against similar institutions.
A-Level Score Calculation
GCSE Score Calculation
Ranking Categories
We provide multiple ranking views to help you find the information most relevant to your needs. Each ranking category focuses on specific aspects of school performance.
Overall Rankings
Comprehensive ranking combining all performance metrics for a complete view of school excellence
School Type Rankings
Separate rankings for grammar schools, comprehensives, independents, and faith schools
Regional Rankings
Rankings by local authority and region to find the best schools in your area
Subject Rankings
Performance rankings in specific subjects like Mathematics, Sciences, and Languages
Progress Rankings
Value-added scores showing how much students improve during their time at school
Gender Rankings
Separate rankings for boys' schools, girls' schools, and mixed schools
Updates & Transparency
We are committed to maintaining transparent and up-to-date rankings. Our data is refreshed annually when new government statistics are released, typically between December and February each year.
December - January
Government data release for previous academic year
January - February
Data processing and validation
February
Rankings updated and published
Ongoing
Ofsted ratings updated as new reports are published
All historical rankings are preserved, allowing you to track school performance over time. We maintain a comprehensive changelog documenting any adjustments to our methodology, ensuring complete transparency in our ranking process.
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