Interviews were completed with 1002 maintained schools in England; a sample of approximately 4.6% of schools across England. The balance of primary and secondary schools was maintained during the survey so that results of an average 4.6% of primary schools and of an average 4.6% of secondary schools were obtained.

Primary schools and secondary schools within each of the 150 LEAs across England were contacted. The sample was designed such that schools were randomly selected in proportion to the size of their LEA. Hence whilst more schools were sampled from larger LEAs than from smaller LEAs, the proportion sampled was the same.

At the close of the fieldwork, completed interviews had been achieved from 146 of these LEAs. The four LEAs (Camden, City of London, Rutland and Isles of Scilly) from which completed interviews were not obtained between them contained less than 1% of the total number of schools we had expected to contact. The absence of these schools from the results does not significantly affect the overall representation of schools nationally.

Analysis by LEA of the distribution of primary schools surveyed showed no significant variation from the 4.6% proportional pattern. Similar analysis for secondary schools showed slight variation arising from the under-representation of secondary schools in the smaller LEAs where no results from schools were obtained.

In total 842 primary schools and 160 secondary schools were surveyed. Twenty of the schools surveyed said they were classified as a Special School. Sixty-six of the schools surveyed said they were affiliated to the Technology Colleges Trust.