Best Schools in Dronfield

2 schools in Dronfield were rated Outstanding at their most recent graded Ofsted inspection: Holmesdale Infant School and Dronfield Infant School. Counting Good as well, 100% of the 14 graded schools here are rated Good or better. Ofsted stopped giving single-word overall grades in September 2024, so these are the grades from each school's last full inspection.

Holmesdale Infant School Dronfield Infant School

Source: Ofsted

Which primary schools in Dronfield have the best SATs results?

Of the 9 primary schools in Dronfield with 2025 Key Stage 2 results, the highest shares of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading and maths were at Penny Acres Primary School (100% in reading, 100% in maths); Northfield Junior School (100% in reading, 89% in maths); and Gorseybrigg Primary School and Nursery (93% in reading, 87% in maths). Small schools can swing a long way from one year to the next, because each pupil is a large share of the result.

Penny Acres Primary School Northfield Junior School Gorseybrigg Primary School and Nursery

Source: DfE school performance data

Are there grammar schools in Dronfield?

No. None of the state secondary schools in Dronfield selects pupils by ability, so every state secondary here is comprehensive.

Source: DfE Get Information About Schools

Do schools in Dronfield have catchment areas?

Most state schools in Dronfield have no fixed catchment boundary. When a school is oversubscribed, Derbyshire allocates places on its published criteria - usually looked-after children first, then siblings, then home-to-school distance - so the practical cut-off moves each year. Each school's page here shows an estimate of its catchment radius.

How do I apply for a school place in Dronfield?

Apply to Derbyshire through its coordinated admissions process, even for academies and faith schools. In England the closing date is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.