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Trusts operate in an increasingly complex landscape, balancing staff wellbeing, pupil experience, and trust-wide improvement. Benchmarking is a powerful tool, but the real value comes from how you use the data.
Edurio’s benchmarking data is derived from surveys conducted among teachers, school staff, pupils, and parents, making it the largest education-focused benchmarking dataset in the UK. A recent survey (October 2024) of our customers found that benchmarking was the number one reason they use Edurio, with 91% of respondents saying they appreciate benchmarks the most.
What is benchmarking and why does it matter?
To lead effectively, trust leaders need a clear, big-picture view—not just how one school is performing, but how different schools compare and how the trust itself measures up nationally.
- Shaping trust-wide strategy – Benchmarking highlights trends in staff wellbeing, behaviour, and pupil engagement across multiple schools.
- Identifying best practice – See which schools are thriving and apply successful strategies trust-wide.
- Making informed decisions – National benchmarks show whether challenges are specific to your trust or part of a wider trend.
Edurio has the UK’s largest education benchmarks of 2023/24.
Key areas to benchmark
Staff wellbeing and retention
Staff wellbeing directly impacts retention and school performance. Our Staff Wellbeing in Academies report shows that fewer than 40% of staff feel ‘very’ or ‘quite’ well, with workload remaining a key issue. Benchmarking your staff’s experience against national trends can highlight areas where support is needed.
Image: Demo national benchmark of staff wellbeing survey
Pupil engagement and experience
Our High-Quality Inclusive Education report reveals a decline in pupil interest in learning over time. Schools that use benchmark data can track engagement levels and introduce targeted interventions to improve learning experiences.
Behaviour and safety
Behaviour is a growing concern in many schools. According to our Behaviour and Safety report, 42% of pupils and 37% of staff report regular classroom disruption. Benchmarking can help schools assess whether their challenges align with national trends and adapt behaviour policies accordingly.
Trust effectiveness and community perception
A strong relationship between a school and its trust benefits everyone. Our Trends in Trust Value report highlights that only 31% of staff feel strongly connected to their trust community. Schools within a trust can compare engagement levels across schools to ensure leadership decisions reflect staff and pupil needs.
Parental engagement
Effective parental engagement supports pupil success, yet communication and involvement levels vary between schools. According to our High-Quality, Inclusive Education report, parental satisfaction with school communication has improved, but responses on engagement remain inconsistent. Benchmarking helps schools assess how well they inform and involve parents compared to national trends. Tracking satisfaction with communication, participation in events, and trust in leadership can guide improvements to strengthen home-school partnerships.
Staff workload
High workload affects staff wellbeing and retention, with nearly half of school staff reporting feeling overworked. Our Staff Wellbeing in Academies report found that only 38% of staff feel well, while 47% experience frequent stress. Benchmarking helps schools compare workload expectations nationally and identify ways to improve efficiency. Reviewing planning time, marking policies, and leadership support can inform strategies to reduce workload and boost staff satisfaction.
From benchmarking to action: turning data into impact
📌 Compare – Use national and trust-wide benchmarks to understand your trust’s position.
📌 Analyse – Identify patterns and explore the root causes behind key trends.
📌 Prioritise – Focus on the areas that matter most, whether it’s staff retention, pupil engagement, or trust-wide communication.
📌 Take action – Use insights to inform policy, professional development, and support strategies.
📌 Track & improve – Regular benchmarking ensures long-term success and accountability.
How Edurio supports trust leaders beyond benchmarking
Unlike traditional benchmarking providers, Edurio doesn’t just give you numbers. We provide context, insights, and next steps to help you implement real improvements.
✅ The UK’s largest trust benchmarking dataset – Compare performance across schools, trusts, and national trends.
✅ Bespoke trust-wide insights – Understand staff wellbeing, pupil engagement, and trust effectiveness across multiple schools.
✅ Data-driven strategy – Move from raw data to targeted actions that create lasting change.
Conclusion
Benchmarking is the foundation for data-driven decision-making—but real change happens when trust leaders turn insights into action.
🚀 See how your trust compares and start driving meaningful improvement today. Get in touch to access the latest benchmarking insights.