Question 1

What is School Atlas?

Accepted Answer

School Atlas is a UK school search platform that helps parents find and compare schools. We combine data from Ofsted, ISI, Education Scotland, Estyn, the DfE, and other government sources into one interactive map with search, filters, and comparison tools.

Question 2

How many schools does School Atlas cover?

Accepted Answer

We cover over 68,000 schools across all four UK nations — England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This includes state schools, independent schools, nurseries, special schools, and sixth form colleges.

Question 3

Do I need an account?

Accepted Answer

You can browse the map, search, and use filters without an account. Creating a free account (takes 30 seconds) unlocks unlimited school profile views, the ability to shortlist schools, and compare up to 3 schools side-by-side.

Question 4

Is School Atlas free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the core features are free. You can search, browse, compare (up to 3 schools), and shortlist (up to 10) without paying. Our Pro plan (£6.99/month or £49.99/year) unlocks historical data, AI predictions, demographics, and more.

Question 5

Where does the data come from?

Accepted Answer

We use official government data sources: Get Information About Schools (GIAS), Ofsted inspection reports, DfE performance tables, School Census data, ISI inspection reports, Education Scotland reports, and Estyn (Wales) reports. See our data sources page for full details.

Question 6

How often is the data updated?

Accepted Answer

We update our data monthly from government sources. Inspection grades are updated within days of publication. School profile pages show a "Data last updated" timestamp so you can see how current the information is.

Question 7

I found incorrect data for a school. How do I report it?

Accepted Answer

Every school profile has a "Report incorrect data" button. Click it, select the field that’s wrong, describe the correction, and submit. Our team reviews all reports and updates the data promptly.

Question 8

How is School Atlas different from the DfE website?

Accepted Answer

We combine data from multiple government sources into one interactive map, add admissions predictions, catchment calculators, financial health scoring, walking time estimates, and comparison tools. Our data covers all four UK nations, not just England.

Question 9

How does the school search work?

Accepted Answer

Enter a postcode or use "Find my location" to search. We find schools within your chosen radius (default 3km, auto-expands to 8km in rural areas). You can filter by school type, phase, Ofsted grade, gender, faith, fees, and many more criteria.

Question 10

What do the different marker colours mean on the map?

Accepted Answer

Green markers are state schools, purple are independent (private) schools, teal are nurseries, and indigo are faith schools. The map legend in the bottom-left corner shows all marker types.

Question 11

What is the catchment indicator?

Accepted Answer

For state schools, we show whether your address is likely within, borderline, or outside the school’s catchment area. This is based on the last distance offered (how far the furthest admitted child lived) from official admissions data.

Question 12

Can I search by moving the map?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When you pan the map significantly, a "Search this area" button appears. Click it to re-search for schools centred on the new map position.

Question 13

What information is on a school profile?

Accepted Answer

Each profile includes: inspection grade and report summary, exam results, admissions data (PAN, last distance offered, demand ratio), parent survey results, demographics, similar schools, and links to the official inspection report. Independent schools also show fees and scholarships.

Question 14

What is the Convenience Score?

Accepted Answer

When you search by postcode, each school gets a Convenience Score (out of 100) combining distance, catchment likelihood, bus routes, and inspection quality. It helps you quickly identify schools that are both good and practically accessible.

Question 15

What do the Ofsted grade shapes mean?

Accepted Answer

Each grade has a distinct shape for accessibility: star (Outstanding/Exceptional), tick circle (Good/Strong), dash (Expected/Requires Improvement), warning triangle (Needs Attention), and cross circle (Inadequate). This helps users who cannot distinguish colours.

Question 16

When are school place offers made?

Accepted Answer

In England, secondary school offers are made on 1 March and primary school offers on 16 April. Dates vary slightly in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. See our admissions calendar for all key dates.

Question 17

Can I appeal if I don’t get my preferred school?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You have the legal right to appeal for any school that refused your child a place. Appeals are heard by an independent panel and are free. See our admissions appeals guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.

Question 18

What is the admissions predictor?

Accepted Answer

Our AI admissions predictor analyses historical admissions data — how demand, distances, and places offered have changed over time — to estimate your chances of getting a place at a specific school. Available to Pro users.

Question 19

What does the Free plan include?

Accepted Answer

Unlimited school profile views, current year data (inspection grades, exam results, admissions basics), compare up to 3 schools, shortlist up to 10 favourites, and save up to 3 search alerts. All free.

Question 20

What makes Pro worth it?

Accepted Answer

Pro unlocks historical trends, the full parent survey (all 10 questions), demographics breakdowns, AI admissions predictions, catchment probability, financial health scoring, unlimited compare & shortlist, and data export (PDF/CSV).

Question 21

Can I cancel anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can cancel your Pro subscription at any time. You keep access until the end of your billing period, then revert to the Free plan with no data loss.

Question 22

How much does it cost for schools?

Accepted Answer

Claiming your school profile is completely free — any school can verify and update their basic details. Our Premium plan for schools is £99/month (or £990/year), which includes lead capture, analytics, facilities showcase, and priority search placement.

Question 23

Can I find schools for children with SEND?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use our SEND Explorer to search by primary need (e.g., ASD, SEMH, SpLD), find special schools, or locate mainstream schools with SEN units and resourced provisions. Our guided wizard helps narrow down options step by step.

Question 24

What is an EHCP?

Accepted Answer

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document for children with significant special educational needs. It names a school and the support your child should receive. Our EHCP process guide walks you through the stages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started

Data & accuracy

Search & map

School profiles

Admissions

Pricing & account

SEND & special needs

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