Whaley Bridge Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 2 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Buxton Road, Whaley Bridge, High Peak, SK23 7HXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Whaley Bridge Primary School is a primary school in High Peak for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 449 schools in Derbyshire. It ranks 123rd of 245 primary schools in Derbyshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 12 July 2022, report published 22 September 2022

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 July 2022

Leaders' ambition for there to be 'a time for every child to shine' is evident in the day-to-day running of the school. Staff care about pupils and want them to do well and to be able to 'shine' every day. Pupils get on well. They recognise that everyone is unique. They are considerate of each other. As one pupil said: 'Everyone is really welcoming and caring.' Pupils understand what constitutes bullying. They know how to deal with it should it happen to them or someone else. Whaley Bridge pupils learn the right way to behave. As one pupil told an inspector: 'If you do something wrong, you get a lesson on how to get it right.' Pupils earn team points and additional playtime, and gain recognition in celebration assemblies for behaving well. This motivates them. The school council completes varied and valued work. Their 'Jubilee Picnic' was well organised and successful. The 'Whaley's Got Talent' show was memorable and attracted the support of some very well-known celebrities. Pupils are proud to be 'safeguarding sheriffs'. They work with leaders to help pupils to feel safer at school.

What the school should improve

  • In a small number of subjects, the precise knowledge that pupils need to know and remember is not clearly identified. Teachers cannot systematically check on how well pupils are learning the curriculum. Leaders should continue to refine the curriculum so that the sequence of learning is clear in all subjects and identifies the important knowledge that pupils need to know. They should ensure that teachers check that pupils can recall this and amend the curriculum accordingly if required.
  • While leaders keep detailed records of behaviour and attendance, they do not routinely evaluate these to identify trends or patterns that might emerge over time. This means that they may not pick up on issues that require support or challenge. More frequent and incisive analysis of records will help to address potential issues sooner.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

16 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths31%

31%, 31 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths13%

13%, 5 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score105

105, 1 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

142 pupils on roll, with places for 262

Eligible for free school meals22.5%

22.5%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2.8%

2.8%, 18.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support30.3%

30.3%, 15.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan14.1%

14.1%, 8.1 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Whaley Bridge Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Taxal and Fernilee CofE Primary School0.3 milesOfsted: Good79% met the expected standard
Buxworth Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good0% met the expected standard
Furness Vale Primary and Nursery School1 mileOfsted judgements: Good71% met the expected standard
Kettleshulme St James CofE (VA) Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good44% met the expected standard
Newtown Primary School (High Peak Federation)2 milesOfsted: Good60% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
2 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Ms Seren Hathway
Address
Buxton Road, Whaley Bridge, High Peak, SK23 7HX
Local authority
Derbyshire
URN
112647

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.