Ofsted has praised Darley Churchtown school for having “big aspirations” for its pupils and ensuring they are well prepared for “their next steps in education and their future lives”.

Inspectors from the government’s education standards body, Ofsted, visited Darley Churchtown CofE Primary School in the week before the Christmas holiday and the report has now been released.

Inspectors said pupils enjoy coming to the “welcoming school”. They noted:

• There is an ambitious curriculum and an extensive enrichment offer.
• School has high expectations for pupils and caring staff know all the children very well.
• There is a positive learning environment that enables pupils to thrive.
• Pupils are polite and respectful to each other and staff.

The report also states that children with special educational needs are well supported so they can succeed “alongside their peers”. It says children with additional needs are quickly identified and staff have the necessary expertise to ensure activities are adapted so all pupils can be successful.

Darley Churchtown works as part of a partnership of local schools within the Matlock and Dales Primary Partnership and is part of the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust. The inspectors praised the "broad and challenging curriculum" that has been developed alongside other schools in the partnership and with the support of the trust.

Reading is prioritised at the school and inspectors observed phonics teaching and noted these sessions were delivered “expertly” by “skilled staff”. They also spoke with children and found that they have opportunities to revisit topics meaning they can “remember and build on what they have learned before”.

Inspectors said there are “high expectations” for behaviour. They said there are no disruptions to learning and children play together happily at break, enjoying the sports and activities that are on offer.

Darley Churchtown staff are delighted with the report and recognition that it gives to our wonderful school. We are also hugely grateful to all parents who spoke with the inspectors and provided feedback. We don’t get all the details of these conversations but the report finishes with one quote: “I could not wish for a better school for my children.”

Darley Churchtown was last inspected in January 2020 and received a ‘good’ grade. Under the current framework for inspections, schools that were previously rated as ‘good’ receive an ‘ungraded inspection’ so no new effectiveness grade is given. Instead the report says that the school “has taken effective actions to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection”. It also notes that arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Read the full report here