Key performance indicators (KPIs) for schools and trusts

Find advice about financial and non-financial KPIs, including examples of key performance indicators for maintained schools and academies. Learn how to use them effectively alongside your school improvement plan (SIP) or strategic plan.

Last reviewed on 5 September 2023See updates
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Contents
  1. Setting and monitoring financial KPIs
  2. Setting and monitoring other KPIs 
  3. Examples from schools and trusts

Academy trusts Trusts used to be required to set financial KPIs and monitor against them, but this requirement was removed from the September 2023 version of the Academy Trust Handbook. A representative from the Department for Education (DfE) confirmed that this is because the 2023 handbook is intended to be less prescriptive. KPIs help you measure financial performance Remember that everything your trust spends is about improving outcomes for pupils. Even though they're no longer mandatory, KPIs will help you to demonstrate you’re providing value for money in terms of the outcomes you achieve.   KPIs could include: Spending on particular areas as a percentage of total expenditure (e.g. on teaching staff, supply staff, premises, teaching resources and energy) In-year balance as a percentage of total income Revenue reserves as a percentage of total income Average teacher cost These examples were previously listed in the DfE's school resource management self-assessment tool, which has since been updated. You