Best Secondary Schools in Derbyshire 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 45 schools across Derbyshire. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Derbyshire has 45 secondary schools, of which 2 (4%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 35 rated Good — 82% of secondary schools in Derbyshire are rated Good or Outstanding overall. St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Derbyshire 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.

45
Total schools
2
Outstanding
4%
Outstanding rate
60.2%
Avg KS2 SATs
40.6
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy
Secondary
 Outstanding 84 View school
🥈 The Ecclesbourne School
Secondary
 Good 75 View school
🥉 Heanor Gate Spencer Academy
Secondary
 Outstanding 72 View school
4. Lady Manners School
Secondary
 Good 68 View school
5. John Port Spencer Academy
Secondary
 Good 67 View school
6. Brookfield Community School
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
7. Wilsthorpe School
Secondary
 Good 65 View school
8. Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
Secondary
 Good 65 View school
9. Outwood Academy Newbold
Secondary
 Good 63 View school
10. Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
Secondary
 Good 63 View school
11. Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy
Secondary
 Good 63 View school
12. Outwood Academy Hasland Hall
Secondary
 Good 62 View school
13. Highfields School
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
14. Frederick Gent School
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
15. Anthony Gell School
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
16. The Bolsover School
Secondary
 Good 59 View school
17. The Ripley Academy
Secondary
 Good 58 View school
18. Tibshelf Community School
Secondary
 Good 58 View school
19. Friesland School
Secondary
 Good 58 View school
20. Hope Valley College
Secondary
 Good 58 View school

Related lists for Derbyshire

All schools in DerbyshirePrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in DerbyshireReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Derbyshire2 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Derbyshire

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

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Derbyshire?
There are 45 secondary schools in Derbyshire, of which 2 (4%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Derbyshire?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Derbyshire is St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Derbyshire?
Primary and secondary school applications in Derbyshire are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Derbyshire council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Derbyshire?
4% of secondary schools in Derbyshire are rated Outstanding and 78% are rated Good. 74.7% 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.