There’s a way to find out exactly how each school in Ireland compares to each other

It examines each and every primary and secondary school in the country.

They say that it is the best days of your life (whoever they are) and it's not until you leave that you realise that 'they' were actually right. You have the best craic in those hells of halls and the memories and friends you make as you struggle your way through to the dreaded Leaving Cert will never be forgotten. It is only when you get to those last few years of your time at school, however, that you begin comparing it to other schools in close proximity. Not comparing the types of people that go there as such but rather, how their education and set-up contrast to your academic institution. If your neighbouring school has already finished their Leaving Cert Maths book at the start of 6th year but your school isn't even halfway through the cycle, something is not quite right there. The Department of Education has published their first individual school inspection report which provides parents with information about school performance. Inspectors have measured the quality of education in each and every primary and secondary school in Ireland, ranking them on a five-point scale which ranges from being 'very good' to 'weak'. Quality of school management, leadership, teaching, learning and assessment are all reviewed as well as the school's own planning and self-review. Primary school inspection reports can be found here while secondary school reports can be found here. According to the Irish Times, Minister for Education, Richard Bruton says the news guidelines on inspections and best practices in schools make for a clear standard and one which we want schools to aspire to achieve. “The new inspection reports contain clearer statements about the quality of the school’s work that is examined in each inspection. They also include information that helps readers understand the judgements that inspectors make,” said Bruton.