It is proposing to release results to organisations that want them for “specific educational reasons” but on the understanding that no individual school would subsequently be publicly identified.

The Department for Education and Employment said it received an increasing number of requests for the information.

Lord Henley, who is now consulting local education authorities, teacher trade unions and educationists on the proposal, said the move would help inform the debate on standards. It would also help support local efforts on school improvement, he said.

But he added: “At the same time we are determined to safeguard confidentiality where this is appropriate. ”

Consultation on the proposal closes on December 12.