Benchmarking against the national average tells you very little, because your school is not the national average. Similar Schools identifies the schools that genuinely resemble yours on the measures that matter, and shows you how those schools were graded.
What makes two schools comparable?
Matching is on size, absence rates, attainment and demographic profile, drawn from DfE performance data and the GIAS register. These are the dimensions on which a comparison either holds up in a governors' meeting or falls apart under the first question.
The output is a ranked set of comparators with their inspection outcomes, which is far more defensible evidence than a local-authority average or a neighbouring school chosen because it is nearby.
Why does this matter for inspection preparation?
If schools closely matched to yours are consistently graded a particular way in a particular category, that is a signal about where your own self-evaluation should focus. It also gives you the comparator set to point at when explaining your context to inspectors, governors or a trust board.
Similar Schools is available to subscribers
Full access is £49 a year for your school, including three users. Additional users from £15 a year each. A free account gives you the core data views and the weekly email digest.
Frequently asked questions
What data is used to match similar schools?
School size, absence rates, attainment and demographic profile, drawn from DfE performance data (KS2 attainment for primary; Attainment 8, Progress 8 and GCSE results for secondary) and the Get Information About Schools register.
Can I benchmark my school against similar schools nationally?
Yes. Comparators are drawn from across England rather than from your local area only, so the match is on genuine similarity rather than proximity.