Brailsford CofE Primary School

About Brailsford CofE Primary School

Brailsford CofE Primary School is clearly a popular choice among local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 31 applications for just 20 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.55. Of those applications, 18 were first-preference choices, and all 18 first-preference families were offered a place. This suggests that while the school is in demand, those who put it as their top option stand a very strong chance of getting in. The school is a Church of England primary in the Derbyshire Dales, with a current roll of 155 pupils against a capacity of 120, meaning it is operating above its official number. A nursery is attached, so families with younger children can get a foot in the door early. The headteacher is Nicola Foulds, and the school has held a Good rating from Ofsted since at least its 2015 inspection, with the most recent full graded inspection in 2019 confirming that standard.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted report from 2019 rated overall effectiveness as Good, with leadership and management, early years provision, and behaviour and attitudes all judged Good as well. The data does not include specific KS2 SATs results for Brailsford, but the local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment sits at 59, which provides a benchmark for the area. The school serves a mixed demographic, with 16.5% of pupils eligible for free school meals, slightly above the national average for primary schools. While no Progress 8 score is available for this primary, the consistent Good rating across two inspections suggests stable academic standards. The school is one of 353 state primary schools in Derbyshire, and only nine of those hold an Outstanding rating, so a Good judgement places it in a solid middle tier within the local authority.

The school offers a strong range of facilities for a village primary, including a gymnasium, sports hall, playing fields, library, ICT suite, and a forest school area, plus a chapel and sensory room. Clubs cover drama, chess, gardening, choir, coding, and art, while sports include gymnastics, cross country, rounders, and netball. SEND provision is well-documented, covering specific learning difficulties, moderate learning difficulty, social and emotional needs, speech and language issues, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. This breadth suggests the school is equipped to support a wide range of additional needs. For families who value a Church of England ethos, a village setting, and a school that is oversubscribed but still accessible to first-preference applicants, Brailsford CofE Primary is a strong contender. Its nursery provision also makes it a practical choice for families looking for continuity from early years through to Year 6.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Brailsford CofE Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents