GOV.UK
How cookies are used on this service
The Find and compare schools in England service puts small files (known as ‘cookies’) onto your computer to collect information about how you browse the site.
Our cookies aren’t used to identify you personally.
You’ll normally see a message on the site before we store a cookie on your computer.
Find out more about how to manage cookies.
Measuring website usage
We use Google Analytics software to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. We do this to help make sure the site is meeting the needs of its users and to help us make improvements. We also send cross-domain tracking information to GOV.UK to help us understand and monitor performance data across multiple public services.
Google Analytics stores information about:
- the pages you visit on this service
- how long you spend on each page
- how you got to the site
- what you click on while you’re visiting the site
We don’t collect or store your personal information (eg your name or address) so this information can’t be used to identify who you are.
We don’t allow Google to use or share our analytics data.
Google Analytics sets the following cookies:
Universal Analytics
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | This helps us count how many people visit GOV.UK by tracking if you’ve visited before | 2 years |
| _gat | Used to manage the rate at which page view requests are made | 10 minutes |
Content experiments
Google Analytics and Optimize content testing. We sometimes test slightly different versions of our content to find out which version users find easier to use. The following cookies are needed to run these tests. All data is anonymised.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| __utmx | Shows inclusion in test | 18 months |
| __utmxx | Determines test expiry | 18 months |
| _gaexp | Google Optimize test inclusion and expiry | Usually 90 days but can vary depending on test |
Essential cookies
Our introductory message
You may see a pop-up welcome message when you first visit this service. We’ll store a cookie so that your computer knows you’ve seen it and knows not to show it again.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| analytics_preference | This lets us know if you chose to accept or reject analytical cookies | 1 month |
| seen_cookie_message | Saves a message to let us know that you’ve seen our cookie message | 1 month |
Compare school and college performance
You are able to select schools and colleges to compare their performance. We store your choices in a cookie so that you don't need to select them again during your visit.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| comparisonitemids | Stores your selection of schools to compare | When you close your browser |
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Help us improve GOV.UK
Ofsted data incorrect?
It typically takes 1 to 2 months, and can take longer in some circumstances, for Ofsted data to be made available and updated here following an inspection.
For the very latest Ofsted data, please visit the Ofsted website
School information incorrect?
Information such as headteacher's name, school website, address, location on the map, gender, age-range and school type also typically take 1 to 2 months to be updated here after first being updated, by the school, in Get information about schools. If information is incorrect in Get information about schools, please report it to the school.
Report a problem
This form is for reporting problems with the Find and Compare Schools in England section of the GOV.UK website.
Don't include any personal or financial information, for example your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To make a complaint about a school, or a general complaint or enquiry, contact the Department for Education This link opens in a new window. Illegal behaviour should be reported to the police.