Earl Sterndale CofE Primary School
Earl Sterndale, Buxton, SK17 0BSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Earl Sterndale CofE Primary School is a primary school in Buxton for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 449 schools in Derbyshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2015.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 19 May 2015, report published 12 June 2015
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 10 December 2024
Pupils are at the heart of this warm and nurturing primary school. This is perfectly summarised by one pupil, who said, 'If you need a friend, this is a good place to be.' Pupils enjoy coming to school because they feel well cared for and supported. Staff know each pupil well. Pupils trust that any concerns or worries will be listened to and addressed by the attentive adults around them. Pupils get on well together during social times. During playtime, there are lots of activities for them to enjoy. However, during lessons, behaviour is inconsistent. Adults do not make the expectations of how pupils should behave clear. This leads to instances where pupils' learning is disrupted by the actions of others. The school places a strong emphasis on pupils' personal development. Pupils greatly appreciate the wide range of opportunities available to them. They enjoy memorable and enriching experiences. Pupils enjoy their lessons. They speak enthusiastically about the variety of subjects they study. However, pupils are not prepared well enough for the next stage of their education because the curriculum does not build logically and sequentially across the school.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, including mathematics, the curriculum does not identify what pupils should learn and by when. Teachers do not set tasks that enable pupils to build sufficient knowledge. Leaders must ensure that the knowledge that pupils need to know and understand is clearly identified and that activities enable pupils to achieve the curriculum's aims.
- The school's expectations of pupils' behaviour are not high enough. Too many pupils do not pay attention to what adults are teaching them. The school should ensure there is a clear approach to managing behaviour and that low-level disruptive behaviour is addressed swiftly.
- Leaders, including the governors, have not identified the weaknesses in the school's curriculum. They have, therefore, not taken action to remedy them. As a result, pupils do not receive an appropriate standard of education. Leaders, including the governors, should take action to improve the quality of education on offer at the school.
Pupil numbers and mix
34 pupils on roll, with places for 35
Schools near Earl Sterndale CofE Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Bartholomew's Church of England Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Not published |
| Hollinsclough Church of England Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Harpur Hill Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Monyash CofE Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 38% met the expected standard |
| Taddington and Priestcliffe School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 88% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sarah Humpleby
- Phone
- 0129883263
- Address
- Earl Sterndale, Buxton, SK17 0BS
- Local authority
- Derbyshire
- URN
- 112821
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.