South Darley CofE Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 5 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Cross Green, Matlock, DE4 2JTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

South Darley CofE Primary School is a primary school in Matlock for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 449 schools in Derbyshire. It ranks 15th of 16 primary schools in Matlock. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2019.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 11 June 2019, report published 26 June 2019

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 27 June 2024

Pupils enjoy learning at this school. They feel safe. They said that staff are kind and supportive. Parents and carers are very positive about the school. A typical comment from parents is that the school is 'wonderful, warm and caring'. The school is ambitious for every pupil to achieve well, and most pupils do. The school is calm and orderly. Pupils behave very well. They play happily together during breaktimes and lunchtime. Older pupils enjoy supporting the younger ones. Pupils are polite and respectful to each other and staff. Most pupils have excellent attitudes to learning. They enjoy being rewarded for doing good work and behaving well. The school provides many opportunities for pupils' wider development. Some pupils enjoy being part of the values team, which helps promote the school's values. Other pupils are sports captains who help organise team events and sports days. All pupils are proud to take part in the school show. They also raise money for charities. For example, pupils recently took part in a 'skipathon', where they raised money for young carers. There is a range of extra-curricular activities that pupils attend. They enjoy going to football, multi- sports and the film club.

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects and for some areas of the early years curriculum, the school has not set out clearly the knowledge that pupils should learn as they progress through the curriculum. This means that pupils do not always build on previous learning. Leaders should ensure that there is a well-planned and sequenced curriculum in place for all subjects and for the early years.
  • The activities staff use to support pupils' learning are not always well matched to the intended learning. This means that some pupils do not always develop a secure understanding of what they have been taught. The school should ensure that staff carefully plan activities that support all pupils in learning the intended curriculum.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

16 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths44%

44%, 18 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score102

102, 4 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score102

102, 3 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score101

101, 4 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

54 pupils on roll, with places for 70

Eligible for free school meals20.4%

20.4%, 6.1 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language0%

0%, 21.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support1.9%

1.9%, 12.9 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.9%

1.9%, 4.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near South Darley CofE Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Darley Churchtown Church of England Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good70% met the expected standard
Darley Dale Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good63% met the expected standard
Winster CofE Primary School1 mileOfsted: GoodNot published
All Saints CofE Junior School2 milesReport card: Strong standard86% met the expected standard
All Saints CofE Infant School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot 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
Mr Paul Wilde
Address
Cross Green, Matlock, DE4 2JT
Local authority
Derbyshire
URN
112842

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.