And through the years the classrooms and corridors of these establishments have been frequented by many future celebrities.
From actors and writers to sports stars and musicians, many started out in Derbyshire and have gone on to achieve great things.
Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School and Chesterfield’s Brookfield Community School are just two schools which can count famous faces among their alumni.
Take a look at our gallery below and discover 12 people famous people who were educated in Derbyshire – there may even be some that surprise you…
5. Ellie Watton
Born June 10, 1989, Ellie Watton attended Highfields School in Matlock before becoming a field hockey player for England and Great Britain. As a forward, she made her first internation appearance against South Africa in February 2013 but has since retired and now teaches at the Rugby School where she took a position in August 2018. Photo: Neil Cross
Roald Dahl, born September 13, 1916, went to Repton School and has been referred to as "one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century". His books for children include James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox, The BFG, The Twits, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me and George's Marvellous Medicine. His adult works include Tales of the Unexpected. Photo: Ronald Dumont
Dame Ellen MacArthur, born July 8, 1976, went to Anthony Gell School in Wirksworth before going on to become a successful solo long-distance yachtswoman, breaking the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe on February 7, 2005. Having retired from professional sailing in 2010, she now runs the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a charity that works with business and education to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, and the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, which helps eight to 24-year-olds regain their confidence through sailing whilst recovering from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illnesses. celebrates aboard her boat King Fisher upon her arrival at Les Sables D'Olonnes. - British former yachtwoman and social entrepreneur Ellen MacArthur was awarded on June 9, 2022 in Spain with the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, announced the jury, who highlighted her fight to promote the circular economy. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: VALERY HACHE
Gary Cahill, born December 19, 1985, went to Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School and began his footballing career playing for the AFC Dronfield youth system. He is an England international with over 60 caps, and currently plays as a centre-back for Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. His previous teams include Burnley, Sheffield United and Chelsea. Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS