Chapel-en-le-Frith CofE VC Primary School

About Chapel-en-le-Frith CofE VC Primary School

Chapel-en-le-Frith CofE VC Primary School is a Church of England state primary in High Peak, Derbyshire, and it’s a school that’s clearly in demand. With 499 pupils on roll against a capacity of 480, it’s operating slightly over its official number, and the admission data for 2025/26 tells a similar story: 67 applications for 49 places, with 49 first-preference offers made, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.37. That’s a solid signal of local popularity. The school serves a community where 24.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average for primary schools (typically around 23-24%), so it’s drawing from a mixed catchment. The headteacher is Jacquie Barber, and the school has nursery provision for children from age three, feeding into the main school through to Year 6. It’s a mixed, non-selective school with a religious character, and the facilities include a chapel, sensory room, ICT suite, library, music rooms, and a gymnasium.

Academically, the school holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2023, with Good across all categories including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership, and early years provision. That’s consistent with its previous inspection in 2017, which also rated overall effectiveness as Good. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 44% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined — below the Derbyshire local authority average of 59%. However, individual subject scores are stronger: 68% met the expected standard in reading (average score 104), 60% in maths (average score 103), and 58% in writing. At the higher standard, 7% achieved the combined measure, with 21% hitting higher in reading and 16% in maths. Nationally, the school ranks in the bottom half of primaries, sitting at the 86th percentile, and 22nd out of 34 schools in the High Peak local authority ranking.

For families considering this school, the practical picture is one of a well-resourced, inclusive setting. The SEND provisions are extensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder, plus a resourced provision — so it’s equipped to support a wide range of additional needs. Clubs include science club, drama, and choir, while sports on offer are cricket, rounders, athletics, and dance. The school is oversubscribed, so if you’re in the catchment or have a church connection, it’s worth noting that first-preference applicants all received offers in the most recent round. It’s a good fit for families who value a Church of England ethos, want nursery provision on site, and need strong SEND support, but who are also realistic about academic outcomes that sit below the local average. The facilities — a sensory room, chapel, and music rooms — add to its appeal as a community-focused primary.

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