Netherthorpe School

About Netherthorpe School

Netherthorpe School in Chesterfield was rated Inadequate by Ofsted following its most recent graded inspection in January 2025, a significant downgrade from the Requires Improvement rating it had received in its previous inspection. The report judged the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management all to be Inadequate, while personal development and sixth-form provision were rated Requires Improvement. The school’s academic data tells a similarly difficult story. At Key Stage 4, its Progress 8 score was -0.76, which is classified as well below average nationally. That places it 42nd out of 46 similar schools in Derbyshire, well behind the local authority average of -0.11. In the East Midlands, it ranks 256th out of 273 schools, and nationally it sits in the bottom 8% of all schools measured by Progress 8. The Attainment 8 score stands at 39.8, and just 28.9% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths.

At A-level, the picture is similarly challenging. The school’s value-added score was -0.26, with a progress banding of below average, and the average points per entry was 26.33, equivalent to a grade of C-. Only 6.3% of entries achieved grades of AAB or higher. The best three A-levels averaged out at a C- grade. The school has a sixth form, with 96 pupils in the cohort, but the academic outcomes suggest that students are not making the progress that would be expected given their starting points. The proportion of pupils entered for the English Baccalaureate was just 15.7%, and only 4.6% achieved it at a grade 5 or above. These figures are well below national averages and reflect the broader concerns flagged by Ofsted around the quality of education and leadership.

Netherthorpe is a mixed, non-denominational secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 18, with 1,041 pupils on roll against a capacity of 907, meaning it is significantly over capacity. It is heavily oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 academic year, there were 419 applications for 163 places, with 160 first-preference offers made. The school has a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 42.4%. Facilities include a swimming pool, sports hall, theatre, art studios, music rooms, and a sixth form centre, and the school offers a wide range of clubs and sports including rowing, gymnastics, martial arts, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. SEND provision covers ten categories including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. Parent View responses from 144 respondents show that 59% would recommend the school, though concerns were raised about behaviour, SEND support, and how concerns are handled. This is a school that families would need to investigate closely, particularly around behaviour management and academic support, before applying.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Netherthorpe School

Helpful Guides for Parents