Derwent Primary School

About Derwent Primary School

Derwent Primary School in Derby is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 3 to 11, currently home to 304 children against a capacity of 315. That near-full roll is no surprise given the demand: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 58 applications for just 36 places, with all 35 first-preference applicants offered a spot. The oversubscription ratio of 1.61 signals a school that local families actively want. What stands out is the pupil demographic: 48.9% of children are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average and a clear marker of the community the school serves. Headteacher Kylie Magner leads a non-religious school with nursery provision but no sixth form. The school’s facilities include an ICT suite, sports hall, forest school, art studios and a chapel, while clubs range from art and gardening to eco club, drama and film club.

Academically, Derwent’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2021 rated it Good overall, with Good marks across all categories including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and early years provision. This was a notable improvement from its previous inspection in 2015, when it was rated Requires Improvement. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, 21% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Derby local authority average of 55%. In individual subjects, 47% met the expected standard in reading, 61% in writing and 42% in maths. Average scores were 99 in reading and 97 in maths. The school ranks 58th out of 58 primary schools in Derby on the KS2 combined measure, placing it in the bottom 50 nationally. No pupils achieved the higher standard in reading or maths, though 5% did so in writing.

For families considering Derwent, the school’s strengths lie in its inclusive ethos and broad provision rather than headline exam results. It offers a wide range of SEND support, including for moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health needs, speech and language challenges, hearing and visual impairments, and autistic spectrum disorder. Sports on offer include rounders, football, cricket, swimming and cross country. The school is oversubscribed, so applying as a first preference is wise. Its Good Ofsted rating and improved trajectory from Requires Improvement may reassure parents. Those prioritising top academic outcomes might look to nearby Castleward Spencer Academy, the nearest Outstanding-rated school, 1.3 km away, or higher-ranked local primaries like Griffe Field or Gayton Junior. Derwent suits families who value an inclusive primary with strong pastoral support and a genuine community feel.

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