Great Dalby School

About Great Dalby School

Great Dalby School, a state primary in Melton, Leicestershire, currently holds a Good rating from Ofsted following its most recent inspection in 2025. This represents a change from its previous inspection in 2014, where it was judged Outstanding overall. The school's most informative exam metric is the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which stood at 70% in the 2023/24 academic year. This comfortably exceeds the Leicestershire local authority average of 62% for the same measure. In the Melton local authority area, Great Dalby ranks 2nd out of 18 primary schools, placing it in the top 11% locally. Nationally, it sits in the top 31% of all primary schools, with a ranking score of 70.

Looking deeper at the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, the school performed particularly strongly in maths and reading. 90% of pupils met the expected standard in maths, with an average scaled score of 107, while 85% met the expected standard in reading, achieving an average score of 108. 90% also met the expected standard in writing. However, the proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined was just 5%, a figure that may give parents of high-attaining children pause for thought. Ofsted noted that behaviour and attitudes are Outstanding, and the quality of education, personal development, and early years provision are all rated Good. The school's leadership and management also received a Good rating.

The school is popular and oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 academic year, it received 71 applications for just 20 places, with 20 first-preference applications all offered places. This gives an oversubscription ratio of 3.55 applicants per place. Facilities include an art studio, ICT suite, forest school, outdoor playground and a chapel. The school offers a range of sports including athletics, tennis, rounders, netball and football, plus clubs such as science, choir, drama, book club and coding. SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. Parent views are very positive: 92% would recommend the school, and 94% agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy there. This is a strong, well-regarded village primary that suits families seeking solid academic outcomes in a supportive, well-behaved environment.

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