Methodology
How LeadSync produces education IT intelligence
Source data, calculation, interpretation and publication are separate stages. Public financial data is useful without being treated as a contract audit.
01
Source and version control
School history comes from versioned Firestore records. financeSource maps directly to the accounting regime, and dataset and algorithm versions accompany the internal result.
02
Comparator construction
The engine matches year, regime and phase, requires valid financial and pupil data, and widens governed parameters when a narrow pool is insufficient.
03
Cost-efficient benchmark
The median within the most cost-efficient comparable group establishes the review point. Negative gaps do not become invented savings.
04
Public governance
Public results are banded, calculation responses are noindexed, and exact evidence, peer rows and internal paths are removed.
Accountability
Sources and evidence
- Financial Benchmarking and Insights ToolDepartment for Education. Public-sector precedent for comparing school and trust spending with similar organisations.
- Consistent financial reporting frameworkDepartment for Education and Education and Skills Funding Agency. Definitions and reporting context for maintained-school financial returns.
- Academies accounts returnDepartment for Education. Reporting context for academy trusts and their auditors.