FAQs for schools

Absolutely not. Each school is selected on merit alone and no one can buy their way into The Good Schools Guide.

The Good Schools Guide is an independent guide and inclusion is entirely at the discretion of our editorial team. Schools can’t buy their way in or choose to be included – or indeed excluded! We choose schools based on recommendations from current parents, local knowledge from our writers and others who know the schools well. We are very happy for schools to let us know they would like to become a Good Schools Guide school, but this has no bearing on our decision. Please see our school selection process for further details.

With more parents than ever before considering state-maintained education for their children, our website is inundated by families looking for information that plugs the gaps left by Ofsted reports. A Good Schools Guide review gets under the skin of aspects of school life that really matter to parents. It also helps pupils looking for a new school or sixth form college to inform their decision and teachers often tell us that they read our reviews when applying for new jobs.

Good Schools Guide reviews tell readers so much more than league tables which are based solely on exam results; they are detailed, nuanced and contextual and help schools showcase the very best of what they do. We understand the time pressures school leaders are under and work to ensure minimum disruption to their school day when we visit. 

As an independent school guide, our team retains editorial control. This means that readers trust what we say far more than paid-for marketing, giving greater credibility to the positive aspects of schools highlighted in our reviews. We work with schools to ensure all copy is factually correct.

In order to use our intellectual property, you will need a licensing agreement. This can be arranged by contacting [email protected]. 

All UK schools can write up to 100 words about themselves and add one picture on their school page free of charge.

They can now also pay for an enhanced profile of up to 500 words, up to eight images, up to five videos and up to six links to their own website for a fee. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Yes, either use the login and password provided by us to schools or email [email protected] with any updated details. We are always pleased to receive updates – they help us to help parents. 

All changes are reviewed by an editor before being accepted (this ensures changes are legitimate and free from typos etc). Factual changes and updates are welcome at any time and, except at busy periods and weekends, should appear within 24 hours (after which time you are free to submit additional changes). Schools reviewed in The Good Schools Guide may suggest other changes to their review, but these are made only at the editor’s discretion. 

If you’re a UK school you can update your special educational needs information using the same log-in and password mentioned above. Our SEND survey has a simple tick box section which is linked to the search function. Parents see your responses in full and of course it raises your profile when they search. If you are reviewed by The Good Schools Guide, our writer will ask to spend time with your SENDCo when they visit and your provision will be detailed in full in your review. 

We endeavour to include all Department for Education schools and UK independent schools (or equivalent) in the UK that cater for five or more children aged 5-19. If for any reason a recognised school isn’t listed please email [email protected] so we can rectify the situation. 

If you are representing an international school outside of the UK, please email [email protected] to bring your school to our attention.

Email: [email protected]