Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School
Swadlincote, DE11 0SW · Derbyshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
67th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.1/10 against 1,958 of them, against 6.7/10 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 | 71.0 · 68 | 40% | 2.73 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 10.0 · 66 | 25% | 1.65 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 71.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 10.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2025. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 207 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 working towards the expected standard in maths? What specific trips or external visits are planned for the current academic year? How does the school manage the transition for children moving from Year 6 to secondary school?
What Ofsted said about Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School
Overview
Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School is described as a “nurturing and joyful school” where pupils are happy and feel safe. The inspection confirms that the school has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection,” continuing to provide high-quality education with warm relationships between staff and pupils.
Strengths
- The school has created an “ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum” where teachers demonstrate “secure subject knowledge” and present information clearly.
- Early reading is prioritised, with effective phonics lessons and interventions helping pupils develop fluency and a “love of reading.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) “achieve very well,” accessing the same ambitious curriculum through carefully selected adaptations.
- Classrooms are “consistently calm and purposeful,” with pupils showing determination, curiosity, and maturity in their learning.
- Staff well-being is a “genuine consideration,” with leaders mindful of workload and providing necessary resources for lesson planning.
Areas to improve
- The implementation of some foundation subjects is not aligned with leaders’ expectations, leading to variability in delivery.
- In these subjects, learning is not focused enough on the specific knowledge and skills pupils need, preventing them from building effectively on prior knowledge.
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 | 83% |
| 2023/24 | 87% |
| 2024/25 | 71% |
| 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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