Concerns as schools comparison website launched

The newly launched site is part of the Government’s plans to publish more information about schools. Parents enter the name of a school, location, or postcode, and then select those they are interested in to compare their performance.

It is launched as new research suggests parents put reputation above test results when choosing a school for their child.

More than nine in ten – 95 per cent – rate a school’s reputation in the community as an important factor when picking a school, according to a survey released yesterday.

But fewer parents were interested in test results, 87 per cent judging this issue as an important factor when choosing where to educate their child.

The survey, conducted by support organisation Family Lives and education expert Fiona Millar, questioned more than 1,000 parents.

The new Government website shows schools test and exam results, the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals, those with special educational needs, as well as overall pupil numbers and how much a school spends per student.

The general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, Brian Lightman, said: “Schools have no problem with data being in the public arena but it is unhelpful to encourage parents to compare schools in the same way they do car insurance, and some of the information on the website is seriously out of date.

“Parents know that there is no substitute for visiting a school, talking with staff and students, and judging its ethos in person.”

Sally Russell co-founder of parenting website Netmums, said: “While this tool does enable parents to search for information about schools, including exam results and some additional information such as the number of supply teachers they regularly use and how they spend their income, there is still much of the picture it doesn’t show and as such it’s not the only source that should be consulted – facts and figures can help the process but doesn’t compare to seeking views of other local parents and speaking first-hand to current pupils and visiting the schools in question.”

Education Secretary Michael Gove wants parents to have as much information as possible when choosing a school.