Zaytouna Primary School

About Zaytouna Primary School

Zaytouna Primary School sits slightly below the Derby local authority average for its key stage 2 headline measure. While the LA average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined is 55%, Zaytouna achieves 52%. That places it 34th out of 74 primary schools in Derby, putting it in the bottom half of the authority. The school is also oversubscribed — for 59 places in the 2025/26 intake, it received 89 total applications, with 61 first-preference requests. That suggests strong local demand despite the middling headline figure. The school’s ranking score of 52 places it in the bottom 50% nationally, at the 74th percentile among all primary schools. It’s worth noting that Zaytouna is a Muslim faith school, and its religious character may be a significant draw for families seeking that alignment, even if raw academic metrics don’t place it among Derby’s top performers.

Academic outcomes at Zaytouna show a mixed picture. In the 2023/24 key stage 2 results, 52% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is three points below the LA average. However, individual subjects tell a more nuanced story. In writing, 73% met the expected standard, and in maths it was 68%, both respectable figures. Reading lagged behind at 60%. At the higher standard, just 7% achieved the top level across all three subjects, with maths and reading both at 13% and writing at 12%. Average scaled scores were 102 in both reading and maths, exactly in line with the national benchmark. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2023 rated it Good overall, a notable improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2019. Personal development was judged Outstanding, while behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and the quality of education all received Good grades.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including music rooms, a sensory room, an ICT suite, a sports hall, outdoor playground, playing fields, forest school and a chapel. Sports on offer include cricket, netball, football, dance and tennis, while clubs extend to eco club, film club, gardening and coding. SEND provision is well-documented, covering moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication, hearing and visual impairment, and autistic spectrum disorder. With 58.7% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a significantly disadvantaged catchment. It is oversubscribed, with 58 first-preference offers made from 61 first-preference applications. Zaytouna will suit families who value a faith-based primary with strong personal development and a clear improvement trajectory, particularly those whose children may benefit from the school’s comprehensive SEND support.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Zaytouna Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents