Horsley Woodhouse Primary School

About Horsley Woodhouse Primary School

Horsley Woodhouse Primary School is a small state primary in Amber Valley, Derbyshire, and the numbers suggest a school that local families are keen to get into. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 54 applications for just 15 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.6. Of those 54 applications, 13 were first-preference choices, and 13 first-preference offers were made, meaning every family who put it first got a spot. That level of demand is a strong signal from the community. The school has 92 pupils on roll against a capacity of 105, so there is some physical room, but clearly not enough to satisfy all applicants. Twelve per cent of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is slightly below the national average for primary schools. The headteacher is Parmjit Atwal, who has been leading the school since at least its most recent Ofsted inspection.

Academically, the school holds a Good rating from Ofsted across all areas, following its March 2023 graded inspection. The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all judged Good. This is consistent with its previous inspection in 2013, which also rated overall effectiveness as Good. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 55% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That is slightly below the Derbyshire local authority average of 59%. However, individual subject scores were stronger: 80% met the expected standard in maths, with an average scaled score of 105, and 75% did so in reading, with an average score of 104. Writing was the weakest area, with 60% at expected and 20% at the higher standard. Nationally, the school ranks in the bottom 50% for its combined expected standard score.

The school sits on a site that includes a library, music rooms, a chapel, playing fields and an outdoor playground. Sports on offer include football, cricket, swimming, gymnastics, cross country and dance, while clubs range from book club and drama to film club and choir. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech, language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health support, and autistic spectrum disorder. There is no nursery or sixth form. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is Morley Primary School, 3.4 km away. Horsley Woodhouse is a solid, well-regarded local option that works well for families who can secure a place, particularly those prioritising a small, community-focused setting with consistent Good outcomes.

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