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.
Contents
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
- Staffing structures
- Performance
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 2019-20 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 as stationery, books
This article is only available for members
Want to continue reading?
Start your free trial today to browse The Key Leaders and unlock 3 articles.
Already a member? Log in
