Best Primary & Secondary Schools in Derby 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 118 schools across Derby. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Derby has 118 primary & secondary schools, of which 14 (12%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 79 rated Good — 79% of primary & secondary schools in Derby are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Harrington Nursery School currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Derby follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

118
Total schools
14
Outstanding
12%
Outstanding rate
57.6%
Avg KS2 SATs
39.4
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Harrington Nursery School
Nursery
 Outstanding 95 View school
🥈 Whitecross Nursery School
Nursery
 Outstanding 95 View school
🥉 Old Vicarage School
Not applicable
 — 95 View school
4. Derby Pride Academy
Not applicable
 Outstanding 95 View school
5. Ivy House School
Not applicable
 Outstanding 95 View school
6. St Giles' Spencer Academy
Not applicable
 Outstanding 95 View school
7. Castleward Spencer Academy
Primary
 Outstanding 95 View school
8. Lawn Primary School
Primary
 Outstanding 90 View school
9. Griffe Field Primary School
Primary
 Outstanding 89 View school
10. St George's Catholic Voluntary Academy
Primary
 Outstanding 85 View school
11. Derby Grammar School
Not applicable
 — 85 View school
12. Parkview Primary School
Primary
 Good 81 View school
13. Lord Street Nursery School
Nursery
 Good 80 View school
14. Central Community Nursery School
Nursery
 Good 80 View school
15. Stonehill Nursery School
Nursery
 Good 80 View school
16. Ashgate Nursery School
Nursery
 Good 80 View school
17. Pear Tree Infant School
Primary
 Good 80 View school
18. Rosehill Infant and Nursery School
Primary
 Good 80 View school
19. Portway Infant School
Primary
 Good 80 View school
20. Alvaston Infant and Nursery School
Primary
 Good 80 View school

Related lists for Derby

Primary schools in DerbyReception–Year 6 only Secondary schools in DerbyYear 7 onwards Outstanding schools in Derby14 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Derby

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many primary & secondary schools are there in Derby?
There are 118 primary & secondary schools in Derby, of which 14 (12%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Derby?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Derby is Harrington Nursery School. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Derby?
Primary and secondary school applications in Derby are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Derby council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Derby?
12% of primary & secondary schools in Derby are rated Outstanding and 67% are rated Good. 66.1% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.