Derby Cathedral School
Great Northern Road, Derby, DE1 1LROpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Derby Cathedral School is a secondary school in Derby for ages 11 to 19. It is one of the 116 schools in Derby. It ranks 11th of 18 secondary schools in Derby. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 17 January 2023, report published 13 February 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 17 January 2023
Leaders want the best for the pupils and the community they serve. They promote the school's FAITH values of 'fellowship, aspiration, integrity, tenacity and humility'. Pupils talk positively about their relationships with staff and discuss the subjects they enjoy studying. Staff have high expectations for pupils' behaviour. Behaviour in lessons is calm. Pupils behave respectfully towards one another during social times. Leaders have split lunchtimes so that all pupils in the school do not have their free time together. This has created more time and space for pupils. Pupils feel safe. They say that on the occasions when bullying occurs, teachers deal with it effectively. Some pupils say that they hear derogatory language. A range of clubs and activities is available for pupils during a 'seventh session' of the school day. Many pupils enjoy participating in clubs, including cooking club, netball and an LGBTQ+ group. Some pupils complete the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Subject leaders have organised trips connected to what pupils are studying, such as a history visit to Kedleston Hall.
What the school should improve
- Teachers do not always check pupils' understanding effectively. As a result, there are occasions when pupils are unable to complete activities successfully because they do not have the knowledge and understanding they need. Leaders should ensure that teachers understand how best to check that all pupils have the knowledge and understanding they need before moving learning on.
- Some pupils do not demonstrate consistently positive attitudes to their learning. A small number of pupils are not punctual to their lessons. This means that pupils are not benefitting as much as they could from the good-quality education that the school is providing. Leaders have begun to address these issues. They should ensure that pupils understand the importance of adopting positive attitudes to their learning, including by being punctual to lessons, so that they benefit fully from the education that the school provides.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
178 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
87 students
Average A level grade C, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,159 pupils on roll, with places for 1,260
Schools near Derby Cathedral School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bemrose School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 33.8 |
| Landau Forte College | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 55.4 |
| UTC Derby Pride Park | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 42.0 |
| Saint Benedict, A Catholic Voluntary Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 45.3 |
| Derby High School | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 60.1 |
School details
- School type
- Free schools
- Sector
- Free school
- Trust
- DERBY DIOCESAN ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Andy Brown
- Phone
- 01332325710
- Address
- Great Northern Road, Derby, DE1 1LR
- Local authority
- Derby
- URN
- 143734
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.