Coppice Primary School

About Coppice Primary School

Coppice Primary School in Amber Valley is a state primary for children aged 3 to 11, and it is a school that local families clearly want to get into. With 232 pupils on roll against a capacity of 241, it is running very close to full, and the 2025/26 admissions data tells a story of significant demand: the school received 85 total applications for just 29 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.93. Of those, 44 were first-preference applications, and only 28 first-preference offers were made. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 35.6%, which is notably higher than the national average for primary schools (around 23-24%), suggesting the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. This context makes its academic performance all the more striking, as the school appears to be achieving strong results despite a challenging intake.

Academically, Coppice Primary is performing well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 77% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to a Derbyshire local authority average of just 59%. The school ranks 7th out of 43 primary schools in Amber Valley, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Reading and maths scores were particularly strong, with average scaled scores of 109 and 108 respectively, and 97% of pupils met the expected standard in reading. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2023 rated it Good overall, with behaviour and attitudes judged Outstanding. All other graded areas — quality of education, early years provision, personal development, and leadership and management — were rated Good. This represents a consistent picture of solid performance, as the school also held a Good rating in its previous 2014 inspection.

The school offers a broad range of facilities that support both academic and personal development, including a library, music rooms, a sensory room, a forest school area, and an ICT suite. Sports provision covers swimming, athletics, netball and cricket, while clubs include coding, art, gardening, eco club and choir. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for a wide range of conditions, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. With nursery provision on site, it can serve families from age three upwards. Given its strong academic outcomes, high demand for places, and inclusive SEND offer, Coppice Primary is a good fit for local families who prioritise academic attainment within a supportive, well-run environment, though the oversubscription means early application is essential.

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