Local Authority
DfE Performance Tables
Local government authority responsible for the school
Understanding Local Authority
The Local Authority field shows which council area the school is located in. In England, local authorities retain certain responsibilities for schools even in an era of academisation.
Local Authority Responsibilities
Local authorities are responsible for: - School admissions: Coordinating applications and allocations - SEND provision: Assessing needs and issuing EHCPs - School places: Planning for sufficient capacity - Safeguarding: Oversight of child protection - Maintained schools: Direct responsibility for LA-maintained schools
Why This Matters
Local authority affects: - Admission arrangements and catchment areas - Available support services - Local education priorities and funding - Transport and accessibility options
Academy vs Maintained
While academies are independent of local authority control, they still operate within the LA area for admissions and statutory purposes. The LA remains a useful geographical and administrative reference for all schools.
For Parents
Your local authority determines your admissions pathway. Even if applying to academies, you’ll typically use the LA’s coordinated admissions system.
Technical Details
- Column Name
- local_authority
- Data Source
- DfE Performance Tables
Coverage by School Phase
How many schools have data available for this field.
This field does not contribute to the performance score calculation.