New Mills Nursery School

About New Mills Nursery School

New Mills Nursery School, a state nursery in High Peak, Derbyshire, holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained across its two most recent graded inspections. The most recent ungraded inspection in January 2025 confirmed that standards are being maintained, with leadership and management also rated Good. For a nursery of just 42 children aged 3 to 5, the most telling metric is the parent view, which is overwhelmingly positive: 100% of the 16 respondents would recommend the school. Specifically, 94% strongly agreed that their child is happy and feels safe, and 88% strongly agreed that their child does well here. This near-unanimous parental endorsement is a powerful indicator of the school's day-to-day success, even in the absence of formal exam data for this age group.

Because New Mills Nursery School caters to the earliest years, there are no SATs, Progress 8, or A-Level results to report. Instead, the school's effectiveness is measured through its Ofsted history and the quality of its early years provision. In its previous graded inspection, the early years provision was rated as Good, and the overall effectiveness has remained consistent at Good. Across Derbyshire, only two out of eight similar state nurseries achieve an Outstanding rating, placing New Mills in a solid position within the local authority. The school's small size means each child receives significant attention, and the parent survey backs this up: 75% strongly agreed that the school makes them aware of what their child will learn, and 69% strongly agreed that the school supports their child's wider personal development.

The school offers a range of facilities that support early learning, including an outdoor playground, a sensory room, and a Forest School programme, which provides hands-on outdoor experiences. Swimming is available as a sporting activity, and clubs such as Gardening, Book Club, and Eco Club give children extra opportunities to explore. For children with additional needs, the school lists support for moderate learning difficulties. With only 42 pupils on roll, the school is likely to feel intimate and community-focused, and the parent view suggests a very high level of satisfaction. This nursery would suit families in the High Peak area who value a small, well-regarded setting where children feel safe and happy, and where parents feel fully involved in their child's early learning journey.

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