Dovedale Primary School
Nottingham, NG10 3HU · Derbyshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
133rd 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.
Narrow the comparison to the 4,058 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.4/10 among them, against 4.1/10 nationally. 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 | 65.0 · 52 | 40% | 2.07 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dovedale Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 65.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 2.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.4 out of 10 among them, against 4.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in cross country, outdoor tennis, gymnastics, and sport games. Arts activities include junk modelling, self-portraits, and paper craft. Wellbeing and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 395 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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 school support pupils to progress from the expected to the higher standard in core subjects? What specific strategies are used to improve outcomes in the similar-intake comparison group? How are the wellbeing clubs structured to support pupil engagement?
What Ofsted said about Dovedale Primary School
Overview
Dovedale Primary School is described as a ‘warm and friendly’ environment where leaders maintain high expectations and embed the value of respect throughout the community. The report highlights an ‘ambitious’ curriculum that supports all pupils, including those with special educational needs, alongside ‘outstanding’ personal development opportunities.
Strengths
- Pupils are ‘kind and respectful’, behaving well and actively identifying as ‘upstanders’ rather than ‘bystanders’.
- Leaders have developed a ‘well-sequenced curriculum’ with robust reading strategies, ensuring pupils ‘achieve well’ and catch up quickly if they fall behind.
- Personal development is ‘woven through the curriculum’, with pupils participating in ‘expert groups’ and leadership roles such as ‘anti-bullying ambassadors’.
- Staff feel ‘valued by leaders’, who work to ensure workloads are manageable and provide effective training.
- Governors and trustees ‘hold leaders to account’ effectively, offering ‘robust challenge’ and support.
Areas to improve
- In ‘a few subjects’, leaders have not ‘precisely identified the most important knowledge’ pupils should know, meaning teaching does not always make this knowledge explicit.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with leaders ensuring keeping pupils safe is a priority and conducting ‘meticulous checks’ on all new staff.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 65% |
| 2023/24 | 64% |
| 2024/25 | 65% |
| 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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