Pupil Count
DfE Performance Tables
Total number of pupils enrolled at the school
Understanding Pupil Count
Pupil count shows the total number of students enrolled at the school. School size affects many aspects of the educational experience, from the range of subjects offered to the sense of community.
School Size Categories
Schools in England vary significantly in size:
Primary Schools: - Small: Under 150 pupils - Medium: 150-300 pupils - Large: 300+ pupils (often two-form entry or larger)
Secondary Schools: - Small: Under 800 pupils - Medium: 800-1,200 pupils - Large: 1,200+ pupils
Advantages of Larger Schools
- More subject choices: Particularly at GCSE and A-level
- Wider extracurricular activities: More clubs, sports, and opportunities
- More specialist teachers: Depth of expertise in each subject
- Better facilities: Resources spread across more students
Advantages of Smaller Schools
- Stronger community feel: Staff know every student
- Less anonymity: Harder for students to “fall through the cracks”
- Potentially calmer environment: Fewer students in corridors and playgrounds
- Closer home-school relationships: Teachers know families better
What to Consider
The “right” size depends on your child:
- Confident, independent children may thrive in larger schools with more opportunities
- Children who need more support may benefit from smaller schools where they’re known personally
- Subject interests matter: A small school may not offer niche A-level subjects
Neither large nor small is inherently better — what matters is how well the school uses its size to serve its students.
Technical Details
- Column Name
- pupil_count
- 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.
Distribution by School Phase
Statistical distribution of values across schools.
Related Fields
Fields that correlate with Pupil Count. Click to explore.