Financial benchmarking: how-to guide

See how you can identify schools similar to yours and make comparisons using the financial benchmarking service from the DfE. You'll also understand the benefits and limitations of benchmarking, and see examples of how other schools use it.

Last reviewed on 14 November 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 3315
Contents
  1. How to use the DfE's benchmarking service
  2. Get the most out of the benchmarking exercise 
  3. If it's difficult to find similar schools
  4. Cover benchmarking in your financial management handbook

How to use the DfE's benchmarking service

The DfE's schools financial benchmarking service allows you to find schools like yours and compare your spending, income and staffing structures.

Find your school's page and click 'Start a comparison', then 'Benchmark comparison', then choose from these options:

  • Quick comparison using pre-selected characteristics
  • Detailed comparison using characteristics you choose
  • Manual comparison using schools you can search for by name or location 

You'll be able to compare across 4 main areas:

  • Expenditure
  • Income
  • Balance
  • Workforce

Within these areas there are charts covering more specific aspects. For example, you can see charts focusing on expenditure in areas such as:

  • Staff
  • Premises
  • Supplies and services

The data currently on the financial benchmarking service is based on 2020-21 data. 

Get the most out of the benchmarking exercise 

Use benchmarking to help you plan effectively

Staff Premises (such as building maintenance) Occupation (such as energy and water) Supplies and services (such

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