Poolsbrook Primary Academy
Chesterfield, S43 3LF · Derbyshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
227th 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 — 0.4/10 against 1,513 of them, against 0.7/10 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 | 33.0 · 4 | 40% | 0.17 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Poolsbrook Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 0.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. 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 (0.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in 2023.
Beyond the classroom
A breakfast club is available for pupils.
Getting in
The published school roll is 69 pupils against a stated capacity of 120. 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 specific strategies are used to help children reach the higher standard in reading and maths? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the current attainment gap?
What Ofsted said about Poolsbrook Primary Academy
Overview
Pupils are proud to attend this school, where kindness is modelled well and everyone feels welcome. The school has established a detailed and ambitious curriculum underpinned by key principles, with high expectations for academic and personal achievement. Leaders and staff are aspirational for pupils’ futures, and parents comment on recent positive improvements.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well due to clear, simple rules and enjoy earning reward points for sticking to them.
- A systematic and rigorous approach to early reading is well embedded, with teachers checking that pupils remember new sounds.
- The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who learn from the same curriculum as their peers.
- Pupils access a wide range of experiences for personal development, including residential visits, extra-curricular clubs, and a ‘soft start’ session.
- Staff and pupils routinely talk about the importance of showing respect for one another.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must check that the foundation subjects curriculum is well embedded and that pupils are successfully developing a deeper understanding over time.
- The school must insist that all pupils engage fully in their learning, as a minority do not yet demonstrate consistently positive attitudes.
- The school must strategically plan activities to promote a love of reading, as not all pupils choose to read for their own enjoyment.
Safeguarding
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 | 44% |
| 2023/24 | 57% |
| 2024/25 | 33% |
| 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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