Every trusted resource, in one place
Inspection reports, independent guides, school shows, practice materials, bursary help and quality tutoring, all in one place. Most are free, and where a paid option is genuinely worth it, we say so plainly.
Checking & comparing schools
Official inspection reports and independent guides, the first places to look before visiting any school.
- Official
Ofsted reports
Official inspection reports for every state school in England. Read the latest full report, not just the one-word grade.
(opens in a new tab) - Official
ISI reports
The Independent Schools Inspectorate, inspection reports for most private and international schools.
(opens in a new tab) - Official
Compare school performance (GOV.UK)
Official exam results, progress scores and destinations data for every state school, searchable by postcode.
(opens in a new tab) - Official
Get Information About Schools (GOV.UK)
The government register of every school in England, type, capacity, age range, and contact details.
(opens in a new tab) - Independent guide
The Good Schools Guide
Independent, candid reviews of state and private schools written from parent visits. Some content is paid, but the free articles on choosing schools are excellent.
(opens in a new tab) - Independent guide
Talk Education
Reviews and insider guides to independent schools, with a strong focus on prep and senior school admissions.
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Private & international school directories
Directories, associations and events for exploring the fee-paying sector, including bursary information.
- Association
Independent Schools Council (ISC)
The umbrella body for UK independent schools. Its school search covers 1,400+ schools, and its annual census explains fees and bursary availability.
(opens in a new tab) - Event
The Independent Schools Show
The UK's biggest independent schools event, held annually in London (Battersea). Meet 200+ schools in one weekend, free tickets, and heads often give talks on admissions and bursaries.
(opens in a new tab) - Association
Independent Schools Association (ISA)
Association of 600+ smaller independent schools, often less selective and less expensive than the famous names.
(opens in a new tab) - Association
Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA)
Directory and guidance for boarding, including weekly and flexi-boarding options many parents don’t know exist.
(opens in a new tab) - International
Find an IB World School
The official International Baccalaureate school finder, includes UK state schools that offer the IB for free.
(opens in a new tab) - International
COBIS
The Council of British International Schools, useful if you may move abroad and want continuity with a British-style curriculum.
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Admissions, deadlines & the 7+, 8+, 9+, 10+ and 11+
Where to actually apply, and free preparation materials for entrance exams.
- Official
Apply for a school place (GOV.UK)
The official route to your council’s application system. Deadlines: 31 October (secondary) and 15 January (primary) in the year before entry.
(opens in a new tab) - Free
GL Assessment familiarisation materials
Free official practice papers from the company that writes most 11+ exams. Start here before buying anything.
(opens in a new tab) - Free
11 Plus Guide
Free region-by-region guidance on which 11+ exam your area uses, forums, and preparation advice from other parents.
(opens in a new tab) - Official
UCAS
The universities admissions service, also has excellent free guides on A-level and IB subject choices from Year 11 onwards.
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Free learning & revision
High-quality free resources that cover the entire curriculum, from phonics to A-levels.
- Free
BBC Bitesize
Free curriculum-matched lessons, videos and quizzes for every Key Stage, from phonics to A-levels.
(opens in a new tab) - Free
Oak National Academy
Thousands of free, complete lessons created by UK teachers, following the national curriculum sequence.
(opens in a new tab) - Free
Khan Academy
World-class free maths and science instruction, excellent for filling gaps or stretching a strong child.
(opens in a new tab) - Free
Exam board past papers (AQA, Edexcel, OCR)
Every GCSE and A-level past paper with mark schemes, free from the exam boards. The single most effective free revision resource.
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Tutoring & extra help
Most of what your child needs is on this page for free. When you would rather have structured teaching, a subject boost or exam confidence, these are quality options worth knowing about. You know your child best, so use them only if and when they help.
- Tutoring
Think Academy UK
Structured online maths courses and small-group classes for primary and secondary, taught by experienced teachers and known for building exam confidence. Paid, with a free trial class so you can see if it suits your child before committing.
(opens in a new tab) - Tutoring
MyTutor
One-to-one online tuition from primary through to A-level, matching your child with a tutor by subject and need. Widely used by UK schools as well as families. Paid per lesson, so you can book as much or as little as you need.
(opens in a new tab) - Online learning
Atom Learning
An adaptive online learning platform for KS2, widely used for 11+ and independent-school entrance preparation, that adjusts to your child as they practise. Paid subscription, often with a free trial so you can try it first.
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Financial help & bursaries
Fee assistance exists at almost every private school, but you have to ask.
- Guide
ISC bursary guidance
Explains how means-tested bursaries work, a third of ISC pupils receive fee assistance, and 100% bursaries exist.
(opens in a new tab) - Free
Turn2us grant search
Searchable database of charitable grants, including educational trusts that help with school costs, uniforms and trips.
(opens in a new tab) - Charity
Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation
Places disadvantaged children into fully-funded boarding school places at leading independent and state boarding schools.
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Want these organised into a year-by-year plan?
The free School Ready Guide planner tells you exactly which of these resources to use, and when, from Reception to Year 13.
Get the free planner