Old Hall Junior School

About Old Hall Junior School

Old Hall Junior School in Chesterfield is a state primary for children aged 7 to 11, currently home to 246 pupils against a capacity of 260, meaning it runs close to full but still has a handful of spaces available. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 19.9%, which is notably higher than the national primary average of around 23% but sits below the Derbyshire local authority average, suggesting a slightly less disadvantaged intake than many nearby schools. The school is mixed and non-denominational, with no religious character, so it draws from a broad cross-section of the local community. Demand appears healthy but not extreme; the school is oversubscribed in the sense that it is nearly full, but there is no indication of a fierce scramble for places. This makes it a realistic option for families in the area who want a Good-rated school without the pressure of a lottery-style admissions process.

Academically, Old Hall Junior School delivers a mixed picture. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 55% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is slightly below the Derbyshire local authority average of 59%. The school ranks 15th out of 25 primary schools in Chesterfield on this measure, placing it in the bottom half of the local league table. However, individual subject results are more encouraging: 77% of pupils hit the expected standard in reading, and 83% did so in writing, both well above the national average. Maths is weaker, with only 60% reaching the expected level. At the higher standard, 9% of pupils achieved greater depth across all three subjects, while reading saw 29% reaching that top tier. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 confirmed a Good rating, a significant improvement from its previous Requires Improvement grade, with leadership and management also judged Good.

The school offers a solid range of facilities for a junior school, including a sports hall, library, sensory room, forest school area, ICT suite and even a chapel. Sports provision covers cricket, football, netball, cross country, gymnastics, rounders and tennis, while clubs extend to coding, film, chess, choir, drama and gardening. SEND support is comprehensive, with provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health needs, speech and language issues, hearing impairment, physical disability, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. This makes the school a strong fit for families who want a mainstream setting with good specialist support, particularly for children with mild to moderate additional needs. It is not a school for those prioritising top-tier academic results, but it offers a decent range of facilities and a clear upward trajectory from its previous inspection.

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