Following the Secretary of State�s announcement last year of his intention to introduce a School Report Card, an initial consultation paper on the general principles that should govern its design and publication was published on 8 December 2008. The significant majority of respondents to that consultation, which closed on 3 March 2009, supported the need for a School Report Card. Further outcomes of that consultation are summarised throughout this document. A full account of the consultation responses can be found on the DCSF's consultations website.

The new School Report Card, which will be introduced from 2011, will provide the Government�s key statement on the outcomes expected from schools and the balance of priorities between them, ensuring more intelligent accountability across schools� full range of responsibilities.

It will report on outcomes across the breadth of school performance: pupil attainment, progress, and wellbeing; a school�s success in reducing the impact of disadvantage; and parents� and pupils� views of the school and the support they are receiving.