How to Find and Read a School's Ofsted and Performance Data
How to find and read a school's Ofsted and performance data is one of the first practical skills every parent needs when choosing a school. The good news is that all of it is free and public: the Ofsted report tells you what inspectors thought of the school, and the government's performance data tells you how its pupils actually do. Used together, and read with a bit of care, they give you a fair picture of a school before you ever set foot inside.
Where to find a school's Ofsted report
Every state school in England is inspected by Ofsted, and every report is published free on the Ofsted reports website at reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Search by the school name or postcode and you can read the full report, not just the summary. In late 2025 Ofsted replaced the old single overall grade with report cards that grade several areas of a school separately, such as the quality of education, behaviour, and personal development, so look at each area rather than hunting for one headline word.
Where to find performance and results data
For results and progress, use the government's Compare school and college performance service on GOV.UK. It shows Key Stage 2 results for primaries and, for secondaries, measures such as Progress 8 and Attainment 8, plus the share of pupils reaching a grade 5 in English and maths. Progress measures matter more than raw results, because they show how far a school moves its pupils on from where they started rather than simply reflecting the intake.
How to read the data without being misled
Numbers only tell part of the story. A single year can be affected by a small cohort or one unusual group, so look at two or three years for a trend. Check the date of the Ofsted report, because a school can change a great deal after a new head arrives. And read the inspectors' comments, not just the grades: the wording often reveals whether a strength is settled or still a work in progress.
- Look at three years of results, not one, to spot a genuine trend.
- Prioritise progress measures over raw attainment, especially in a mixed intake.
- Note the inspection date; an old report may not reflect the school today.
- Read the full report text, where the real detail sits.
Turn the data into questions for your visit
The data is most useful as a starting point for a school visit. If progress in maths dipped, ask how the school is addressing it. If behaviour is graded well, ask what that looks like day to day. Our guide to what makes a good school covers the signs that matter more than the rating, and if you are weighing a selective route, see our explainer on the 11-plus.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find a school's Ofsted report for free?
On the Ofsted reports website at reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Search by school name or postcode and read the full report, which is free and public for every state school in England.
What is the difference between Ofsted grades and performance data?
Ofsted grades are inspectors' judgements about the quality of a school across several areas. Performance data, published on GOV.UK, shows the measurable results and progress of its pupils. You need both for a rounded view.
Is Progress 8 or Attainment 8 more important?
Progress 8 is often the more revealing figure because it shows how much progress pupils make from their starting point, rather than simply reflecting how able the intake was on arrival.
How often are schools inspected by Ofsted?
Inspection frequency varies with a school's previous findings and any concerns raised, so some are seen more often than others. Always check the date on the report, as a school can change significantly between inspections.
Can I compare two schools directly?
Yes. The Compare school and college performance service on GOV.UK lets you view schools side by side, and you can read each school's Ofsted report alongside it to compare both the results and the inspectors' comments.