School Name
DfE Performance Tables
Official name of the school
Understanding School Name
The school name is its official title as registered with the Department for Education. Names often reveal key characteristics about the school’s type and ethos.
What Names Tell You
School names often indicate: - Academy/Trust: “Academy” or trust name shows academy status - Faith: “Catholic”, “Church of England”, “Jewish” indicates religious character - Grammar: Selective schools often retain “Grammar School” - Type: “High School”, “College”, “Secondary” indicate phase
Name Changes
Schools change names when: - Converting to academy status - Joining a Multi-Academy Trust - Rebranding after significant changes - Merging with other schools
Historical Context
Many schools have long histories reflected in their names: - “Grammar School” heritage even if now comprehensive - Historical benefactors or founders - Local place names or landmarks
For Parents
The name gives initial clues about a school, but don’t judge solely by name. “Academy” doesn’t automatically mean better or worse, and traditional names don’t guarantee traditional education. Look at outcomes and inspection reports alongside the name.
Technical Details
- Column Name
- school_name
- 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.