The hardest schools to get into in Derby
Secondary: 517 families put Landau Forte College first in 2026 and 162 of them (31%) were offered a place.
Reception: 53 families put Becket Primary School first in 2026 and 29 of them (55%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Derby with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landau Forte College · Derby | 517 | 162 (31%) | 180 |
| 2 | Littleover Community School · Derby | 372 | 264 (71%) | 288 |
| 3 | Derby Cathedral School · Derby · faith | 158 | 140 (89%) | 176 |
| 4 | Derby Moor Spencer Academy · Derby | 239 | 214 (90%) | 296 |
| 5 | Chellaston Academy · Derby | 302 | 271 (90%) | 288 |
| 6 | Saint Benedict, A Catholic Voluntary Academy · Derby · faith | 202 | 182 (90%) | 242 |
| 7 | West Park School · Derby | 296 | 276 (93%) | 279 |
| 8 | Allestree Woodlands School · Derby | 202 | 198 (98%) | 231 |
| 9 | Lees Brook Academy · Derby | 166 | 165 (99%) | 195 |
| 10 | Murray Park Community School · Derby | 221 | 221 (100%) | 270 |
| 11 | Noel-Baker Academy · Derby | 210 | 210 (100%) | 257 |
| 12 | The Bemrose School · Derby | 113 | 113 (100%) | 179 |
| 13 | City of Derby Academy · Derby | 112 | 112 (100%) | 178 |
| 14 | Alvaston Moor Academy · Derby | 107 | 107 (100%) | 193 |
| 15 | Da Vinci Academy · Derby | 74 | 74 (100%) | 132 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Derby
What is the hardest school to get into in Derby?
For secondary places, 517 families put Landau Forte College first in 2026 and 162 of them (31%) were offered a place. For Reception, 53 families put Becket Primary School first and 29 of them (55%) were offered a place.
How many families in Derby get their first-choice school?
81.7% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 94.4% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Derby published it in its admissions booklet.