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Financial benchmarking: how-to guide

See how you can identify schools similar to yours and make comparisons using the financial benchmarking tool from the DfE. Understand the benefits and limitations of benchmarking, and see examples of how other schools use it.

Last reviewed on 29 November 2024See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 3315
Contents
  1. How to use the DfE's benchmarking tool
  2. Get the most out of the benchmarking exercise 
  3. Cover benchmarking in your financial management handbook

The DfE has a new financial benchmarking and insights tool that allows you to see how your school's spending compares with similar schools.

It replaces the 'view my financial insights' tool and the schools financial benchmarking service.

How to use the DfE's benchmarking tool

To begin, select 'start now' and search for your school.

On your school's page, you'll see spending priorities for your school rated red, amber and green (RAG). These are bespoke recommendations based on where your spending is higher or lower compared to similar schools.

In addition to total expenditure, you can see graphs that compare spending on areas such as teaching staff, support