Firs Primary School
Derby, DE22 3WA · Derby · primary school
Check the area around this school
44th of 59 primary schools in Derby we can score, 74 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 — 1.5/10 against 539 of them, against 1.1/10 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 | 30.0 · 3 | 40% | 0.11 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.81 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.60 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Firs Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 30.0% 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 September 2022. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 469 pupils against a stated capacity of 350. 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 manage class sizes when operating significantly above its designated capacity? What specific support is available for pupils who have not yet reached the expected standard in core subjects? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the gap between current results and national medians?
What Ofsted said about Firs Primary School
Overview
Firs Primary School is described as an “inclusive, happy and welcoming school” where the ‘Firsy five’ values underpin daily life. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, fostering a culture where children “behave well and are kind to each other.” The report highlights a strong focus on reading and personal development, though it notes specific areas requiring attention regarding knowledge retention and attendance.
Strengths
- Early years provision ensures children get off to a “flying start,” with learning opportunities that prepare them well for Year 1.
- There is a “whole-school culture of prioritising reading,” supported by a clear phonics structure and daily staff reading sessions.
- Staff provide effective, personalised support for pupils who speak English as an additional language, helping them “learn well and feel successful.”
- High-quality individual learning plans are implemented for pupils with SEND, with staff who “know pupils well.”
- The wider curriculum offers opportunities to develop spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding, with pupils showing “respect for difference and diversity.”
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, staff do not use assessment information effectively to check understanding, leading to “gaps in their knowledge”; teachers must ensure regular opportunities to recall prior learning.
- Although attendance is improving, the proportion of pupils who are “regularly absent remains high,” and leaders must continue work to reduce this further.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders keeping pupils’ safety and well-being as a priority and staff being vigilant in reporting concerns.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 37% |
| 2023/24 | 36% |
| 2024/25 | 30% |
| 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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