Longford CofE Primary School

About Longford CofE Primary School

Longford CofE Primary School’s headline Key Stage 2 results put it in a different league from the Derbyshire local authority average. While the typical primary school in the county sees 59% of pupils reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, Longford achieved 100%. That 41-percentage-point gap places the school third out of 353 primary schools in Derbyshire, and first in the Derbyshire Dales district. Nationally, it ranks seventh out of 13,686 primary schools on this metric. The school is small — 56 pupils against a capacity of 70 — and its Church of England character is reflected in the on-site chapel. Headteacher Elise Piper-Hadfield leads a school that has held a Good Ofsted rating across its two most recent inspections, with the most recent ungraded inspection in 2023 confirming it remains Good in leadership and management, early years provision and overall effectiveness.

Academically, Longford’s Key Stage 2 results are exceptional across the board. Every pupil met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, and the school’s average scaled scores were 107 in reading and 106 in maths — both above the national average of 100. A quarter of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading and writing, and 13% did so in maths. Progress measures are not available in the data, but the attainment figures alone suggest strong teaching. The school’s Ofsted breakdown shows a Good rating for leadership and management, and for early years provision, with no areas flagged as requiring improvement. Given the small cohort size — likely around 10 pupils per year group — these results reflect consistent, targeted support. The school does not have a sixth form or nursery provision, focusing entirely on primary-age children from 4 to 11.

For families considering Longford, the practical picture is one of high demand and strong community feel. The school is oversubscribed: for 12 places in 2025/26, it received 27 applications, a ratio of 2.25 applicants per place, with all nine first-preference offers going to local families. Facilities include a library, chapel, sensory room, gymnasium, playing fields and an outdoor playground. Sports on offer include gymnastics, football, cricket, swimming, dance and tennis, while clubs cover eco, art and drama. SEND provisions are in place for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With 14.3% of pupils eligible for free school meals — slightly above the national average — the school serves a mixed catchment. This is a small, high-attaining village school that suits families prioritising academic rigour in a close-knit, faith-influenced setting.

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