Denby Free CofE VA Primary School
Ripley, DE5 8PH · Derbyshire · primary school
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79th of 263 primary schools in Derbyshire we can score, 354 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 8.4/10 against 4,060 of them, against 8.6/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 80.0 · 88 | 40% | 3.51 |
| Ofsted | 7 | 35% | 0.24 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 15.0 · 84 | 25% | 2.09 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Denby Free CofE VA Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 80.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. A further 15.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (8.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.6 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in May 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in Tough Runner, Handball, Athletics, Swimming, Cricket, Cross Country, Netball, Dodgeball, and Dance.
Getting in
The published school roll is 113 pupils against a stated capacity of 140. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the new report-card framework affect day-to-day teaching priorities? What specific support is available for pupils aiming for the higher standard?
What Ofsted said about Denby Free CofE VA Primary School
Overview
The report describes a school that is now "settled" following previous turbulence, with new leaders providing "clear direction" and high staff morale. While safeguarding standards are met and attendance is close to the national average, the report identifies that pupils’ experiences of the curriculum are "inconsistent," which hinders their achievement. Leaders are actively working to address these issues, particularly in mathematics and teaching consistency.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are actively identified and managed.
- Attendance is close to the national average, with leaders acting promptly to remove barriers and support disadvantaged pupils.
- Behaviour is "positive, calm and respectful," underpinned by school values, with bullying being "very rare."
- Early years provision is effective, with children making a "sound start" through high-quality phonics and mathematics teaching.
- The school fosters a "highly inclusive culture," with robust systems to identify and support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Areas to improve
- The mathematics curriculum "lacks coherence" and does not build securely on early years foundations, requiring better sequencing.
- Teaching expectations are not fully embedded, leading to inconsistencies in addressing pupils’ age-related needs and prior learning.
- Assessment and feedback must consistently support pupils in securing foundational knowledge in transcription and mathematics, addressing gaps promptly.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 45% |
| 2023/24 | 62% |
| 2024/25 | 80% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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