Furness Vale Primary and Nursery School

About Furness Vale Primary and Nursery School

Furness Vale Primary and Nursery School is a small state primary in High Peak, Derbyshire, currently home to 81 pupils against a capacity of 116, leaving plenty of room for growth. The school serves a community with a notably high level of disadvantage: 32.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. Despite this, demand for places is strong. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 11 applications for just 5 places, with all 5 first-preference families offered a spot, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.2. This suggests that local parents see real value here, even with the school operating below its full capacity. The school is mixed, non-religious, and caters for children from age 3 through to 11, with a nursery on site. Headteacher Ruth Parry leads a team that, according to the most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024, continues to deliver a Good standard of education across all key areas.

Academically, the picture is mixed but with clear strengths. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 38% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is below the Derbyshire local authority average of 59%. However, reading is a standout subject: 94% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, and 38% achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 108. Writing also performed well, with 75% at expected and 13% at the higher level. Maths was weaker, with only 50% at expected and 6% at the higher standard. The school ranks 223rd out of 353 primary schools in Derbyshire on the combined measure, placing it in the bottom half nationally. Ofsted’s 2024 inspection rated behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management all as Good, with early years provision also Good. The previous inspection in 2015 also rated the school Good overall, so the rating has been consistent over time.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a library, playing fields, sports hall, ICT suite, music rooms, art studios, gymnasium, forest school and a chapel. Sports on offer include tennis, swimming, netball, dance, athletics, cricket and football, while clubs range from book club and chess to eco club, choir and drama. SEND provision is in place for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: 100% of the 34 respondents would recommend the school, with 76% strongly agreeing their child is happy and 82% strongly agreeing their child feels safe. This is a school that feels like a genuine community asset, particularly well suited to families who value a strong pastoral environment and a focus on reading, and who are comfortable with a smaller, less pressured setting.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Furness Vale Primary and Nursery School

Helpful Guides for Parents