Taxal and Fernilee CofE Primary School

About Taxal and Fernilee CofE Primary School

Taxal and Fernilee CofE Primary School, a Church of England state primary in High Peak, Derbyshire, was rated Good in its most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2012 and confirmed to have remained Good following an ungraded inspection in 2023. That's a solid foundation, but the real story is in the school's academic outcomes. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 82% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That figure is well above the Derbyshire local authority average of 59%, placing the school second out of 34 primary schools in the High Peak area and in the top 10% nationally. Digging deeper, the school's average reading score was 108 and maths 106, both above the national benchmark of 100. A notable 43% of pupils achieved a higher standard in reading, and 29% did so in maths, suggesting strong stretch for more able children.

The Ofsted report from 2012 rated leadership and management as Good, and the school has held that overall rating across both its graded inspections, having improved from a Requires Improvement judgement in 2009. The data shows consistent academic strength, particularly in reading, where the average score and higher-standard attainment are especially strong. Writing and maths expected rates both sit at 86% and 89% respectively, again comfortably above national averages. With no progress scores published for the current cohort, it's hard to track individual pupil gains, but the raw attainment figures paint a picture of a school that delivers well above the local norm. The school ranks 90th out of 1,353 primaries in the East Midlands, placing it in the top 7% regionally.

With 196 pupils against a capacity of 222, the school is not at full roll, yet it was oversubscribed for 2025/26 admissions, receiving 43 applications for 24 places, all 24 first-preference offers being taken up. That suggests strong local demand. Facilities include a sports hall, playing fields, a sensory room, an ICT suite and a chapel, with clubs ranging from Eco Club to Film Club and sports including athletics, swimming and gymnastics. The school supports pupils with moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, hearing impairment and social, emotional and mental health needs. For families in the High Peak area who prioritise strong academic outcomes within a Church of England setting, Taxal and Fernilee offers a proven track record above the local average, though parents should note the limited nursery provision and no sixth form.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Taxal and Fernilee CofE Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents