Norbury CofE Primary School

About Norbury CofE Primary School

Norbury CofE Primary School is a small Church of England primary in the Derbyshire Dales, sitting within the Derbyshire local authority. It is one of 353 state primary schools in the county, and while it does not appear among the very highest-ranked peers in the area — Wessington, Redhill, and Longford CofE primaries all share a perfect ranking score — it holds its own as a Good-rated school. The school is tiny, with a capacity of just 78 pupils, and caters to mixed-gender children from ages 4 to 11. It has no nursery or sixth form provision, so it is firmly a straight-through primary. Headteacher Sally Wright leads a school that has clearly been on an upward trajectory: its most recent graded inspection in 2014 rated it Good overall, and an ungraded inspection in December 2023 confirmed that the school remains Good. That is a notable improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2012, when it was judged to require improvement in both overall effectiveness and leadership and management.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted report gives a clear picture of solid performance. The overall effectiveness is Good, and leadership and management are also rated Good. The data does not include specific KS2 SATs results for Norbury, so we cannot compare its raw scores directly to the Derbyshire local authority average of 59 for KS2 attainment. However, the fact that the school has held a Good rating across two consecutive inspections — the 2014 graded inspection and the 2023 ungraded check — suggests consistent quality. The previous inspection in 2012 had rated the school Requires Improvement, so the improvement to Good and the subsequent maintenance of that standard is a meaningful positive signal for parents. The school does not offer a sixth form, so all academic focus is on the primary years, and the Ofsted report does not break down individual subject grades or early years provision, but the overall judgement is reassuring.

The school offers a practical, well-equipped environment for its small roll. Facilities include a library, gymnasium, art studios, music rooms, a chapel, playing fields, and an outdoor playground — a decent range for a primary of this size. Sports provision is strong, with rounders, athletics, tennis, cricket, football, swimming, and netball all on offer. There is also a good selection of clubs: chess, book club, coding, drama, and eco club. The school is oversubscribed? The data does not give admissions numbers or a percentage of first-choice offers, so we cannot say for sure, but with a capacity of just 78, places are likely to be limited. This school will suit families in the Derbyshire Dales who want a small, Church of England primary with a strong moral framework, decent facilities, and a track record of steady improvement. It is not the highest-ranked in the area, but its Good rating and recent confirmation of that standard make it a reliable local option.

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