As 2026 begins, we have created a ranking of best and worst performing Derbyshire primary schools, based on the latest Department of Education data.
The data includes Key Stage 2 performance data, based on pupils’ SAT results in the 2024/25 school year.
We have ranked the schools based on the proportion of students meeting the ‘expected standard’ in the 2024/25 school year.
Pupils meet the expected standard if they achieve a scaled score of 100 or more in their reading and maths Key Stage 2 SATs exams, and their teacher assesses them as 'working at the expected standard' or better in writing.
On average, 59% of pupils met the expected standard across Derbyshire in 2025 and and 62% nationally.
This league table includes these Derbyshire primary schools, which saw at least 80% of their Key Stage 2 pupils meet the expected standard in 2025 and have been rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding by Ofsted.
From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools – however inspectors still provide rating for each of key categories inspected including: the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, early years provision as well as leadership and management.
The ranking includes schools with 10 best and worst expected standard results in 2025.
Schools which had less than 10 pupils at the end of Key Stage 2 are not included in the ranking. This is because schools with fewer than 10 pupils in Y6 are not required to publish their SAT results.
The league table does not include schools located in Derby.
1. Best and worst performing Derbyshire primary schools in 2026
These are the best and worst primaries in the county based on latest SAT scores. Photo: Google
2. Redhill Primary School
Redhill Primary School in Ockbrook had an impressive 100% of pupils meeting expected standards for reading, writing and maths in 2025, while 28% achieved a higher standard. This is the best result in Derbyshire. Pupils achieved an average score of 112 in reading and 109 in maths. The school had 32 pupils at the end of key stage 2 and was rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted in December 2023. Photo: Google
3. Kirkstead Junior Academy
Kirkstead Junior Academy in Pinxton had 42 pupils at the end of key stage 2 with 93% meeting expected standards for reading, writing and maths in 2025. This is the second best result in Derbyshire. 36% achieved a higher standard. Pupils achieved an average score of 111 both in reading and in maths. The school was rated 'good' by Ofsted in June 2022 with leadership and management highlighted as 'outstanding'. Photo: Google
4. Palterton Primary School
Palterton Primary School saw 93% of pupils meet expected standards for reading, writing and maths. This is the third best result in Derbyshire The average score in reading was 107, while the average score in maths was 106. None of the pupils achieved a higher standard in 2025. In an Ofsted report published in June 2024, the primary, located at Primary Back Lane in Palterton, was rated as 'good' across all categories. Photo: Google