Using data to support school improvement

Understand how to use data for school improvement planning. Download our guide to find out what data is available, how to use it and how often to analyse it.

Last reviewed on 28 May 2025
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 1094
Contents
  1. Download our list of data sources to help you plan for improvement
  2. Find guidance to analyse performance data
  3. Use pupil data to drive improvement
  4. Make use of staff data
  5. Get input from parents and carers

Download our list of data sources to help you plan for improvement

KeyDoc: list of data sources to support school improvement DOCX, 138.5 KB
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There are tips for using each type of data for improvement planning, such as:

  • Identifying school trends and issues 
  • Setting goals – e.g. objectives or actions in your school improvement plan (SIP)
  • Tracking progress towards goals

You'll also see who should use each type of data and how often. 

Our associate education expert, David New, helped us produce the document. 

Read the sections below for more advice on how to use some of the data sources to support improvement.

Find guidance to analyse performance data

Analyse pupil performance data – you'll find: Guidance on using Analyse School Performance (ASP) and Ofsted's Inspection data summary report (IDSR) Questions to ask yourself when analysing the data Tips on deciding what to do after you've done the analysis Analyse pupil progress data in a subject or department, including what to focus