Clifton CofE Primary School
Cross Side, Clifton Village, Ashbourne, DE6 2GJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Clifton CofE Primary School is a primary school in Ashbourne for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 449 schools in Derbyshire. It ranks 5th of 9 primary schools in Ashbourne. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in May 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 13 May 2025, report published 16 June 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 13 May 2025
Pupils love coming to this small school, which is at the heart of the village community. From the moment they join their 'Clifton family' for the day, pupils know that it will be filled with learning and fun. Here, pupils thrive as individuals. They know there are staff they can go to if they have any worries. Equally importantly, they care for each other. There is a highly ambitious early years curriculum. It sparks children's curiosity, aligns with their interests and ignites a love of learning. This high aspiration continues throughout the school. Pupils welcome this and respond by working hard in their lessons. They achieve well. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary, including when they are out at community events or on school trips. They treat everybody with kindness and respect. Playtimes are sociable, positive experiences. Older pupils support younger pupils in organised games. Pupils develop their character through taking positions of responsibility such as belonging to the school council or the eco-team. Pupils ascribe to the school vision 'let your light shine'. On a personal level, they strive to do their best at all times. As a part of the 'Clifton family', they celebrate and shine a light on the achievements of others.
What the school should improve
- In a few foundation subjects, the most important knowledge, underlying concepts and vocabulary that pupils need to learn has not been identified clearly enough. In these subjects, pupils have gaps in their knowledge and do not build their understanding or link learning over time as well as they could. They also find it difficult to articulate their learning. The school should ensure that key curriculum concepts and vocabulary are identified and taught so that pupils know and remember more.
- The school does not have clear expectations and an agreed approach for teaching handwriting and presentation. This means that the quality of some pupils' written work is not as strong as it should be. The school should support pupils to produce written work of consistently high quality across the curriculum.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
15 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
107 pupils on roll, with places for 105
Schools near Clifton CofE Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilltop Primary Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 53% met the expected standard |
| St Oswald's CofE Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 68% met the expected standard |
| Ashbourne Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Osmaston CofE (VC) Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 90% met the expected standard |
| Norbury CofE Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 5 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Jeanette Hart
- Phone
- 01335342473
- Address
- Cross Side, Clifton Village, Ashbourne, DE6 2GJ
- Local authority
- Derbyshire
- URN
- 112811
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.