Milford Primary School

About Milford Primary School

Milford Primary School is a small state primary in Amber Valley, Derbyshire, currently teaching 78 pupils against a capacity of 105, so there is room to grow. Its intake reflects a relatively low level of disadvantage: 14.1% of pupils qualify for free school meals, which is below the national average for primary schools. Demand for places is strong — for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 34 applications for just 15 places, with all 15 first-preference offers taken up, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.27. That suggests a popular local choice, even though the school doesn't have a religious character. The headteacher is Emma Roberts, and the school is mixed-sex, taking children from age 4 to 11. It does not offer nursery provision or a sixth form.

Academically, Milford's most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 rated it Good overall, with leadership and management also Good and early years provision rated Good. This is a notable improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2016, when it was rated Requires Improvement. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, 50% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is below the Derbyshire local authority average of 59%. However, reading results were stronger: 93% met the expected standard and 29% achieved a higher standard. Maths scores were more mixed, with 71% at expected and an average scaled score of 103. The school ranks 34th out of 43 primary schools in Amber Valley on this combined measure, placing it in the bottom half nationally.

The school offers a decent range of facilities for its size, including a sensory room, forest school, library, ICT suite and art studios. SEND provision covers speech, language and communication needs, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. Parent feedback from the most recent Parent View survey (34 responses) was broadly positive: 82% would recommend the school, and 85% agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy. However, only 35% felt concerns were dealt with properly, and 18% disagreed that their child feels safe. Clubs include gardening, coding, eco club and chess, while sports on offer are football, netball, cricket, athletics and dance. For families seeking a small, oversubscribed village primary with a Good Ofsted rating and a strong reading focus, Milford is worth a look, though the mixed parent views on safety and concern-handling are worth investigating further.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Milford Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents