Switching from Locrating to SpotWise
If you came here from Locrating, you already know what is near you. You have the map, the catchment history and the league table numbers. What you probably do not have is an answer to the question the form actually asks: of these schools, which one first, and why?
SpotWise takes the shortlist you already built and ranks it against your child and your priorities, using the same published data, and writes down the reasoning.
What you gain, in one line each
- A ranked shortlist scored against one child, not the average child.
- Weightings you set, normalised so the maths is honest.
- The published figure and its vintage behind every criterion.
- A written rationale, plus visit questions, exported to PDF.
- No child-identifying data stored — outward postcode only.
What you keep using a map tool for
Historic catchment boundaries, browsing an unfamiliar area street by street, independent schools and property-portal overlays. Those are genuinely Locrating's strengths and SpotWise does not try to replace them. The two tools answer different halves of the same decision — the full feature-by-feature comparison sets out exactly which is which, and the roundup of Locrating alternatives covers the other tools parents use.
How switching works, step by step
1. Keep the shortlist you already built
Whatever map tool found them, add three to eight schools by name or postcode. SpotWise does not ask you to start again.
2. Say what matters in your family
Attainment, stretch, individual attention, attendance culture, values, diversity, distance and admissions chance each get a weight you set yourself.
3. Read the ranking, not just the order
Every criterion shows the published figure behind it. Where a school is missing data, the criterion is dropped, the weight redistributed, and the reason stated on the card.
4. Take it with you
Export a PDF with the rationale and a personalised set of visit questions drawn from your child's profile and each school's weaker figures.
Questions parents ask before switching
- Do I have to stop using Locrating to use SpotWise?
- No. Most parents keep a map tool for finding schools and add SpotWise for deciding between them. Map first, score second.
- I already have a Locrating shortlist. What happens next?
- Enter your outward postcode, add the schools you already picked, set what matters to your family, and SpotWise ranks them with the published figure behind every criterion and a written explanation of the order.
- Does SpotWise show catchment areas like Locrating does?
- SpotWise shows published catchment boundaries where a council releases them, and otherwise scores admissions policy, distance and last year's offer distance rather than drawing a boundary it cannot verify. For historic catchment mapping, keep using a map tool.
- Is SpotWise cheaper than Locrating's paid reports?
- SpotWise is free for one ranked comparison with the top match's evidence shown in full, then £7.99 a month or £59 a year, cancel any time. Extra children are 20% of the base plan.
- Where does SpotWise get its data?
- Published UK open government data: Get Information About Schools, DfE performance tables, absence statistics, the school census, Ofsted and council admissions documents. Every figure shows its source and vintage.
- Can I take the result to a school visit or an appeal?
- Yes. The scorecard exports to PDF with the per-criterion figures, the written rationale and a personalised list of questions to ask on a visit.
Based on publicly described features at the time of writing. Locrating is a trademark of Locrating Ltd and is not affiliated with SpotWise.