Peak Forest Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Hernstone Lane, Peak Forest, Buxton, SK17 8EJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Peak Forest Church of England Voluntary Controlled 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 June 2015.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 2 June 2015, report published 29 June 2015
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 21 January 2025
Peak Forest is a happy and friendly place to learn. The school radiates a warm and inclusive ethos. Pupils attend well and are keen to acquire their reward wristbands. They know that they are well cared for. Pupils feel happy and safe. One parent captured the sentiments of those who shared their views when they said, 'My children love it here and skip into school every morning.' Others note the school's nurturing 'family' feel. The school takes its responsibility to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain seriously. Pupils enjoy an extensive programme of personal development and enrichment. The curriculum maximises opportunities to visit places within the Peak District and beyond rural Derbyshire to promote their spiritual and cultural understanding. The twice-weekly 'together days' provide ample opportunity for social integration with pupils at other schools in the federation. Pupils enjoy these days, as well as the opportunity to make new friends. Pupils behave well. They understand the importance of treating everyone equally and with respect. Pupils embrace both the British values and the school's 'SMILERS' values, which they helped to create. Expectations are typically high. Most pupils achieve well.
What the school should improve
- Staff do not consistently make the necessary checks to ensure that pupils' understanding of knowledge and skills is secure before moving them on to new tasks. When this happens, some pupils develop gaps in their knowledge, and they lack the confidence to quickly recall important knowledge and subject vocabulary. As a result, some pupils do not achieve as well as they might. The school should ensure that all staff have the knowledge and skills they need to systematically check pupils' understanding and remedy any misconceptions, helping all pupils to achieve as highly as they can.
- Some pupils are not taught how to hold and use a pen well enough. These pupils are not able to transcribe as accurately as they should. The school should ensure that all pupils are taught how to hold and use a pen consistently well so that they can write accurately and achieve more.
Pupil numbers and mix
42 pupils on roll, with places for 49
Schools near Peak Forest Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Dale Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 21% met the expected standard |
| Dove Holes CofE Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Bishop Pursglove CofE (A) Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 55% met the expected standard |
| Castleton CofE Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Chapel-en-le-Frith CofE VC Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 34% 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 Andrea Tomlinson
- Phone
- 0129822074
- Address
- Hernstone Lane, Peak Forest, Buxton, SK17 8EJ
- Local authority
- Derbyshire
- URN
- 112848
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.