School Ratings by Postcode: Ofsted Results Near You (2026)
Around 88% of England's schools are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, but the remaining 12% fall short. School quality can vary significantly even within the same town. Enter any postcode to see Ofsted ratings, school types, and inspection dates for every school within walking distance.
Whether you are buying a family home, renting near good schools, or simply researching an area, school quality is one of the most important factors to consider.
What You Will Find in Your Report
Every area report includes a schools section powered by live Ofsted data, covering all registered schools near your postcode.
Ofsted Ratings
Current inspection grade for every school within 2km of your postcode, from Outstanding to Inadequate.
Schools Sub-Score
A 0-100 score based on the proportion of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding.
School Types
Academy, maintained, free school, faith school, grammar school, or independent, all clearly labelled.
Age Ranges
Primary (4-11), secondary (11-18), all-through, and special schools listed separately for easy browsing.
Distance from Postcode
Each school shown with its distance from your searched postcode, sorted nearest first.
Last Inspection Date
See when each school was last inspected, so you know how current the rating is.
National Ofsted Statistics (2026)
A snapshot of school quality across England, based on the most recent Ofsted inspection data.
16%
Schools rated Outstanding
Approximately 3,500 schools
72%
Schools rated Good
Approximately 15,800 schools
9%
Schools rated Requires Improvement
Approximately 2,000 schools
3%
Schools rated Inadequate
Approximately 650 schools
How Ofsted Ratings Work
Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) inspects schools in England to ensure they meet minimum standards. Inspectors assess four key areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Each area receives a grade, and the school receives an overall judgement.
The four-point grading scale runs from Outstanding (1) to Inadequate (4). A school rated Good provides effective education where pupils achieve well, behave respectfully, and are well prepared for the next stage. Outstanding schools go further, providing an exceptional quality of education where pupils thrive academically and personally.
It is important to note that Ofsted ratings represent a snapshot in time. A school inspected three years ago may have changed significantly since then. Leadership changes, staff turnover, and shifts in pupil demographics can all affect quality. Always check the inspection date in our reports and consider visiting the school directly for the most current picture.
How It Works
Enter a postcode
Type any UK postcode to see schools within a 2km radius.
We fetch Ofsted data
Live data from the Ofsted API, including inspection grades, school type, and age range.
Review nearby schools
See every school sorted by distance, with Ofsted ratings and a schools sub-score for the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Ofsted ratings mean?
Ofsted rates schools on a four-point scale: Outstanding (Grade 1), Good (Grade 2), Requires Improvement (Grade 3), and Inadequate (Grade 4). As of 2026, around 88% of schools in England are rated Good or Outstanding. An Outstanding school demonstrates exceptional quality of education, behaviour, personal development, and leadership. A Good school is effective, with high-quality education and well-managed behaviour.
How often are schools inspected by Ofsted?
The inspection frequency depends on the current rating. Outstanding schools are now inspected roughly every four years following changes introduced in 2021. Good schools are inspected approximately every four years as well. Schools rated Requires Improvement receive a full re-inspection within 30 months. Inadequate schools are placed in a category (special measures or serious weaknesses) and receive monitoring visits before a full re-inspection.
Does living near a good school affect house prices?
Research consistently shows that proximity to Outstanding or Good schools can add 5-15% to local house prices. A study by the London School of Economics found that homes in the catchment area of a school rated Outstanding command a premium of roughly 8% compared to similar homes near a school rated Requires Improvement. This effect is strongest for primary schools, where catchment areas are smaller and admissions are more tightly linked to distance.
What school data does PostcodeCheck show?
Our area reports list all schools within a 2km radius of your postcode, including their name, school type (academy, maintained, free school, independent), age range, Ofsted rating, and the date of their last inspection. We also calculate a schools sub-score for the area based on the proportion of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding, which feeds into the overall Area Score.
Are independent (private) schools included?
Yes. Our reports include both state-funded and independent schools. Independent schools are inspected by either Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), and we display whichever inspection rating is available. However, independent school ratings do not count towards the area schools sub-score, as access depends on ability to pay fees rather than proximity.
How do I check school catchment areas?
PostcodeCheck shows you which schools are closest to your postcode and their Ofsted ratings. For specific catchment area boundaries, you will need to check with the local authority or the school directly, as catchment areas change based on annual admissions data. We recommend using our report as a starting point, then verifying catchment eligibility with the school before making a moving decision.
Check Schools Near Any Postcode
Enter a UK postcode for a free area report with Ofsted ratings, school types, and distance data.
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