Wirksworth Junior School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 7 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Wash Green, Wirksworth, Matlock, DE4 4FDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Wirksworth Junior School is a primary school in Matlock for ages 7 to 11. It is one of the 449 schools in Derbyshire. It ranks 12th of 16 primary schools in Matlock. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 6 June 2023, report published 12 July 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 6 June 2023

Wirksworth Junior School is a happy and caring place to learn in. Leaders have created a school that is highly inclusive. They have high expectations of all pupils. Leaders want pupils to be 'creative, curious and caring'. Pupils live up to these expectations. They enjoy attending school. Pupils behave well around school and in lessons. They are polite and respectful. Adults ensure that pupils understand the behaviour policy. Pupils value the time that they can spend talking to adults if they have a worry. They know that there are adults who will support them to manage their behaviour and feelings. Leaders sort out any incidents of bullying quickly. Consideration is given to the needs of all involved. Pupils feel safe in school. From sailing lessons to residential trips, there are many opportunities for pupils to develop their interests and build character. Pupils also enjoy taking on leadership roles in school, such as guinea pig monitors and online monitors. Pupils apply to be school councillors. They value making their own decisions about life in school. The school values run through the curriculum. Pupils can talk about the six core values. They say that through these they learn about, for example, respect and trust.

What the school should improve

  • In a small number of subjects, leaders have not broken knowledge down into precise components. This makes it harder for pupils to learn new concepts. Pupils' knowledge is not as well developed as it could be in these subjects. In these subjects, teachers are not always able to check how well pupils are learning new knowledge. Leaders should identify the precise knowledge that teachers need to teach in all subjects, so that pupils learn and remember more and that teachers have a clear understanding of what knowledge pupils have secured.
  • Despite leaders' best efforts so far, too many vulnerable pupils, and pupils with SEND, do not attend school often enough. This has a negative impact on their progress through the curriculum. Leaders should continue to look at different ways to improve these pupils' attendance and to build on the work they have already undertaken.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

25 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 maths4%

4%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score103

103, 3 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score99

99, 6 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score100

100, 5 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

76 pupils on roll, with places for 240

Eligible for free school meals30.3%

30.3%, 3.8 percentage points above 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 support15.8%

15.8%, 1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5.3%

5.3%, 0.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Wirksworth Junior School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Wirksworth CofE Infant School0.1 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Middleton Community Primary School1 mileReport card: Needs attention to strong standard78% met the expected standard
Cromford Church of England Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good29% met the expected standard
Matlock Bath Holy Trinity CofE Controlled Primary School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Carsington and Hopton Primary School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
7 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Isabel Webb
Address
Wash Green, Wirksworth, Matlock, DE4 4FD
Local authority
Derbyshire
URN
112652

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.