What this means: The overall absence rate measures the percentage of possible sessions (half-days) missed by pupils across the academic year, including both authorised and unauthorised absences.

An absence rate above 7% is typically considered high. Schools in areas of higher deprivation usually report higher absence rates, often linked to health inequalities, family circumstances, or transport challenges.

📊 📊 Sir Tom Finney Community High School is ranked 19,244th out of 20,611 schools nationally

What this means: The suspension rate shows the percentage of pupils who received at least one fixed-period suspension during the academic year. A single pupil suspended multiple times counts once.

This suspension rate is below average, which usually reflects either a strong pastoral support system or a school community with fewer behavioural challenges.

📊 📊 Sir Tom Finney Community High School is ranked 12,099th out of 20,625 schools nationally

What this means: The permanent exclusion rate shows the percentage of pupils permanently excluded from the school during the academic year. This is the most serious sanction a headteacher can apply.

Permanent exclusion is rare across most schools. Many schools report zero permanent exclusions in any given year.

📊 📊 Sir Tom Finney Community High School is ranked 1st out of 20,625 schools nationally

What this means: The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers employed at the school. Part-time teachers are counted proportionally (e.g. a teacher working 3 days counts as 0.6 FTE).

Teacher numbers typically reflect the size and funding of the school. A school with 31 FTE teachers is larger than average. Changes over time may indicate growth, budget pressures, or restructuring.

What this means: The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) teaching assistants employed at the school, including higher-level teaching assistants (HLTAs).

Teaching assistant numbers vary widely between schools. This school has a relatively high number of TAs, which often indicates significant SEN provision or a focus on classroom support.

What this means: The pupil-to-teacher ratio (PTR) divides the total number of pupils by the number of FTE teachers. It indicates how many pupils each teacher is responsible for on average, though actual class sizes may differ.

A lower pupil-to-teacher ratio often indicates smaller class sizes, which usually allows for more individualised attention.

📊 📊 Sir Tom Finney Community High School is ranked 20,150th out of 21,095 schools nationally

What this means: Teacher turnover rate shows the percentage of teachers who left the school during the academic year. This includes retirements, resignations, and transfers.

This turnover rate is broadly typical. Most schools see some natural turnover each year due to career progression, relocations, and retirements.

📊 📊 Sir Tom Finney Community High School is ranked 9,397th out of 20,457 schools nationally

What this means: The teacher sickness absence rate shows the percentage of possible teaching days lost to sickness absence across all teachers during the academic year.

A teacher absence rate above 5% is higher than the national average and may indicate workforce wellbeing challenges or an above-average level of long-term sickness.

📊 📊 Sir Tom Finney Community High School is ranked 15,724th out of 18,930 schools nationally

What this means: The average number of days lost to sickness absence per teacher during the academic year. This includes both short-term and long-term absences.

An average of more than 7 days per teacher is above the national average (typically around 5 days). This may be driven by one or two long-term absences.

📊 📊 Sir Tom Finney Community High School is ranked 15,939th out of 18,919 schools nationally

What this means: The percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals (FSM). FSM eligibility is widely used as a proxy indicator for socio-economic disadvantage.

An FSM rate above 30% is significantly above the national average and typically indicates a school serving a community with higher levels of deprivation.

What this means: The percentage of pupils identified as having Special Educational Needs (SEN), including both SEN Support and those with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans.

An SEN rate above 20% is higher than the national average and may indicate strong SEN identification practices or a school that attracts families seeking good SEN provision.

📊 📊 Sir Tom Finney Community High School is ranked 1st out of 22,081 schools nationally

What this means: The percentage of pupils receiving SEN Support — the first tier of SEN provision, where additional help is provided within the school without an EHC plan.

This level of SEN Support is below the national average. The proportion often reflects how the school identifies and categorises additional needs.

What this means: The percentage of pupils with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan — the highest level of SEN support, involving a legally binding document specifying the provision required.

An EHC rate above 5% is higher than typical and may indicate the school has specialist provision or a strong reputation for supporting complex needs.