Cotmanhay Junior School

About Cotmanhay Junior School

Of the 15 parents who responded to Ofsted's Parent View survey for Cotmanhay Junior School, 80% said they would recommend the school to other parents. That's a solid endorsement, and it's backed up by some very strong individual scores: every single parent agreed or strongly agreed that their child feels safe, and 100% agreed the school has high expectations for their child. On happiness, 80% agreed or strongly agreed their child is happy, and 93% felt their child does well. The school is oversubscribed, with 284 pupils on roll against a capacity of 313, suggesting local demand is healthy. Headteacher Simon Robinson leads a mixed, non-religious state primary for children aged 7 to 11 in the Erewash borough of Derbyshire. A notable 67.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average, which gives important context to the school's academic results.

Academically, the picture is more mixed. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 tests, 40% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to a Derbyshire local authority average of 59%. That places the school 23rd out of 25 primary schools in Erewash and in the bottom 50% nationally. However, individual subject scores tell a slightly different story: 57% hit the expected standard in writing, 55% in maths and 52% in reading. The proportion reaching the higher standard was low across the board, with just 3% achieving it in all three subjects. Ofsted's most recent graded inspection, in December 2024, rated the school Requires Improvement overall, though behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all judged Good. The previous inspection in 2015 had rated it Good overall.

The school offers a decent range of facilities including a sports hall, playing fields, a sensory room and a chapel. Sports on offer include tennis, athletics, swimming, cricket and football, and there are clubs such as film, science, coding and chess. For children with additional needs, the school lists support for a wide range of conditions including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Parent views on SEND support were not available from the survey. This is a school where parents feel their children are safe, happy and well-supported pastorally, but where academic outcomes are an area of focus. It would suit a family who value a strong community feel and a school that is working on improvement, rather than one already at the top of local league tables.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Cotmanhay Junior School

Helpful Guides for Parents