Duffield the Meadows Primary School
Belper, DE56 4GT · Derbyshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
24th 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 3,837 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.9/10 among them, against 7.6/10 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 | 74.0 · 76 | 62% | 4.65 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 38% | 2.98 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Duffield the Meadows Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 74.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 13.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.9 out of 10 among them, against 7.6 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 260 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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 who are below the expected standard in core subjects? What does a typical day look like for a child in Year 6?
What Ofsted said about Duffield the Meadows Primary School
Overview
The report describes a ‘caring school’ where parents ‘overwhelmingly support’ the provision and value the ‘warm welcome’ extended to families. Pupils are characterised as ‘safe and happy’, demonstrating ‘high standards of behaviour’ and a ‘can-do’ approach to learning. The inspection notes that the school has successfully navigated significant challenges, including a major flood, with leaders showing resilience and governors remaining ‘knowledgeable’.
Strengths
- Pupils ‘thrive from the quality of wider opportunities’, enjoying clubs such as sports, gardening, and choir which broaden their interests.
- Teachers possess ‘strong knowledge of the curriculum subjects’ and select resources ‘effectively to make concepts explicit’, particularly in mathematics and early years.
- Phonics teaching is clear and structured, with books ‘matched accurately to the sounds that pupils are learning’, supporting early reading success.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are ‘fully included in school life’ and ‘achieve well’ alongside their peers.
- Staff appreciate the ‘training and support’ they receive, and the school considers their ‘workload and well-being’.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum implementation requires refinement to ensure pupils build knowledge ‘in a coherent way both within and across subjects’, as some struggle to retain learning or grasp subject distinctions.
- Teachers must improve their ability to evaluate checks on pupils’ learning to determine when to ‘move forward or revisit learning’, avoiding unnecessary repetition or misconceptions.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 67% |
| 2024/25 | 74% |
| 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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