Bradwell CofE (Controlled) Infant School & Nursery

About Bradwell CofE (Controlled) Infant School & Nursery

Bradwell CofE (Controlled) Infant School & Nursery is a small Church of England primary in the Derbyshire Dales, currently operating well below its capacity of 54 with just 21 pupils on roll. That’s a fill rate of under 40%, which makes its oversubscription status for the 2025/26 intake all the more striking. The school received 17 applications for 12 places, with all 12 first-preference applicants offered a spot, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.42. This suggests a local reputation that punches above its size. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 33.3%, which is significantly higher than the national average for primary schools and points to a community with above-average economic disadvantage. For families considering this school, the small cohort means very close relationships between staff and children, but also that places are competitive despite the overall low roll — likely because the school serves a tightly defined catchment area.

Academically, Bradwell holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2024, with every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — all judged Good. This is consistent with its previous inspection in 2013, which also rated overall effectiveness as Good. The school does not publish Key Stage 2 SATs results because its age range stops at 7, so parents looking for Year 6 data will need to look at the junior school their child would move on to. The local authority average for KS2 attainment is 59, but that figure applies to the full primary phase and isn’t directly comparable here. What the Ofsted report does confirm is that the school is delivering solid outcomes in early years and infant education, with no significant weaknesses flagged.

The school offers a nursery provision for children from age 2, which is a practical bonus for working parents. Facilities include an outdoor playground, library, forest school area, music rooms and a chapel, which is unusual for a school this size. Sports provision covers rounders, football, cross country and athletics, while after-school clubs include drama, coding, eco club, art club and choir. SEND support is available for moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication difficulties. This is a school that will suit families who value a small, church-affiliated setting with strong pastoral care and a broad enrichment offer, particularly those with very young children who can benefit from the nursery through to infant years before transitioning to a separate junior school.

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