Newtown Primary School (High Peak Federation)

About Newtown Primary School (High Peak Federation)

If you're looking for a small primary with a strong sense of community, the parent experience at Newtown Primary School is worth noting. In its most recent admissions round for 2025/26, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 27 applications for just 10 places — an oversubscription ratio of 2.7 to 1. That level of demand from local families is a clear signal of its reputation. Of the 27 applicants, 8 were first-preference choices, and all 8 received offers, suggesting that for those who put it top of their list, the school delivers. The school itself is part of the High Peak Federation and is led by headteacher Ashley Parry. It's a mixed, non-religious state primary for children aged 4 to 11, with 84 pupils on roll against a capacity of 110, so there's some room to grow but it's already well-regarded locally.

Academically, Newtown's most recent Key Stage 2 results for 2023/24 show a mixed picture. The proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined was 31%, which is significantly below the Derbyshire local authority average of 59%. In individual subjects, 54% met the expected standard in reading and in maths, while 46% did so in writing. Higher-attaining pupils were a small minority: 8% achieved the higher standard in reading and maths, and 15% in writing. Average scaled scores were 100 for reading and 99 for maths. The school's ranking within High Peak places it 33rd out of 34 primary schools on the combined expected standard metric, and in the bottom 50 nationally. However, its Ofsted inspection in March 2024 rated it Good across all areas — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — a consistent improvement from its previous Good rating in 2013.

On the practical side, Newtown offers a decent range of facilities for a small school, including a sports hall, dining hall, outdoor playground, forest school and a chapel. Sports provision covers cross country, football, cricket, swimming, rounders and dance, while after-school clubs include art, drama and gardening. The school has a broad SEND offer, with provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, autistic spectrum disorder, and other difficulties. With 28.6% of pupils eligible for free school meals, it serves a relatively disadvantaged intake compared to many local primaries. This is a school that will suit families who value a small, inclusive environment and are comfortable with academic outcomes that sit below the local average, but who appreciate the strong community feel and consistent Good Ofsted rating.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Newtown Primary School (High Peak Federation)

Helpful Guides for Parents