Barlow CofE Primary School, Dronfield
Barlow CofE Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Dronfield. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in September 2018. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in February 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 9th-highest of the 9 schools in Dronfield with published results, and 10,901st of 14,452 across England. It was 90% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2018)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 75 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Derbyshire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 1 Nov 2026
Barlow CofE Primary School in detail
Barlow CofE Primary School in its own words
In its own words: ""Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 Barlow Church of England School believes each individual has a voice to be valued and talents to be nurtured."
The school runs after-school care.
Vision and values (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 64% of Year 6 pupils at Barlow CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 73% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 73% in Derbyshire and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 70% in reading and 90% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Barlow CofE Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 7 families put Barlow CofE Primary School as their first choice and 22 named it as one of their preferences, for 10 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Barlow CofE Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Barlow CofE Primary School are Cutthorpe Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 73% reading, 80% maths); Dunston Primary and Nursery Academy (2 miles, Good, 49% reading, 51% maths); St Andrew's CofE Methodist (Aided) Primary School (2 miles, Good, 88% reading, 91% maths); and Dronfield Infant School (2 miles, Outstanding).
Barlow CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.
Cutthorpe Primary SchoolDunston Primary and Nursery AcademySt Andrew's CofE Methodist (Aided) Primary SchoolDronfield Infant School
Who goes there
0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (92%) and Mixed (6%).
In 2026, 9 pupils (10.5%) received SEN support and 2 (2.3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a moderate learning difficulty.
Staffing
Barlow CofE Primary School had 8 teachers in 2026, one for every 10 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Dronfield Rail Station, about 2.2 miles away in a straight line.
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Rutland Terrace (opposite), 30 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 5 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Derbyshire (50).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Barlow CofE Primary School issued 3 suspensions, 3.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoThis judgement is from September 2018, 8 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Good.
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Pupils are happy to attend Barlow C of E Primary School. In lessons, they keenly follow well-established routines. They enjoy learning and try hard. At playtimes, pupils play together in the well-equipped outdoor space. In daily collective worship, they learn about values and diversity. Staff encourage pupils to reflect on these values and make links to their own behaviour.
Pupils are confident and polite. They say that they feel safe and cared for at the school. Staff prioritise getting to know the pupils very well. They support pupils to develop resilience and communication skills. Staff make sure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get all the support that they need to take part in all the same activities as their peers.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
The school has worked hard to plan a rich and ambitious curriculum. Staff have thought carefully about the knowledge that they want pupils to learn across the full range of subjects. This knowledge is effectively sequenced so that pupils build on what they already know to deepen their understanding over time. Staff work together to make sure that the curriculum matches pupils' interests and broadens their understanding of the world they live in. For example, in art lessons pupils learn to appreciate the work of artists from around the world while developing their own techniques. In English lessons, pupils read from a well-chosen range of texts that includes stories, poems, and non-fiction. In the early years, the curriculum is designed to make sure that children develop the skills they need to be ready for key stage one.
From Ofsted's February 2024 ungraded inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its September 2018 inspection - unchanged since its previous inspection.
Rated Good for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
18.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 70% to 64% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 90% to 73% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 80% to 64% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
21.5
Avg class size
18.5
Infant (KS1)
24.5
KS2
4
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Barlow CofE Primary School
Nurseries
The nearest nurseries and pre-schools to Barlow CofE Primary School, with their latest published grades:
- Barlow Pre School - Pre-school, under 0.1 milesOfsted, 29 March 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Hill Top Tots Day Nursery Limited - Day nursery, 1.7 milesOfsted, 19 September 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Kids Planet Newbold - Day nursery, 1.9 milesOfsted, 28 October 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Newbold Parish Church Pre-School - Day nursery, 2.1 milesOfsted, 11 November 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Dronfield Nursery Limited - Day nursery, 2.2 milesOfsted, 20 July 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Term dates
Barlow CofE Primary School is a voluntary controlled school, so its term dates are set by Derbyshire. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Friday 4 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Monday 26 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
2027 to 2028
- Autumn term: Monday 6 September to Wednesday 22 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027)
- Spring term: Thursday 6 January to Friday 7 April 2028 (half term Monday 21 February to Friday 25 February 2028)
- Summer term: Monday 24 April to Monday 24 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Barlow CofE Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Barlow CofE Primary School is in Derbyshire; for families living there:
- Derbyshire's school travel policy: Home to school transport policy 2026 to 2027 - 465KB
- How to apply: Apply for home to school transport assistance
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Derbyshire is 6 (the median across 454 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight are DfT estimates (severity adjustment). Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Barlow CofE Primary School
Will you get a place at Barlow CofE Primary School?
For 2026 entry it had 7 first choices for 10 places. The report sets your home postcode against these figures.
£9.99 once (inc. VAT; £19.99 for up to three schools), or Pro £9 a month, every report included, cancel any time. What's in the report
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
90%
Near capacity
82 pupils
91 places
9 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Across Derbyshire council
Places available
9,875
Applications
7,189
Got 1st preference
94.5%
Got preferred school
99.2%
All primary applications across Derbyshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Future places in the local planning area
DfE estimates the Barlow Primary planning area (Derbyshire) will have about as many primary places as pupils in 2027/28, with no additional places needed.
Source: Department for Education, School capacity: Academic year 2024/25 (published 19 March 2026), estimates of future school place demand by planning area. Council pupil forecasts against reported places, counting places councils and DfE plan to add or remove; rounded to whole places. Explore Education Statistics
Inspection History(10)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
9
SEN Support
2
EHC Plans
12.8%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
86
Total Pupils
39
Boys
47
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
8
Teachers
10.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£50,863
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,850
Per pupil
£613k
Total funding
£18k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.4%
Overall absence
8.3%
Persistent absence
72
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Barlow CofE Primary School
What are SATs results like at Barlow CofE Primary School?
Of the pupils at Barlow CofE Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 64% reached the expected standard in reading and 73% did so in maths.
What is Barlow CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Barlow CofE Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in February 2024, was ungraded. At its last graded inspection, in September 2018, it was rated Good.
Is it hard to get a place at Barlow CofE Primary School?
Barlow CofE Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 90% of its 91 places.
How big are the classes at Barlow CofE Primary School?
Classes at Barlow CofE Primary School average 21.5 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Barlow CofE Primary School?
Barlow CofE Primary School has around 86 pupils on roll. 19% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Barlow CofE Primary School?
4.4% of sessions were missed at Barlow CofE Primary School in 2024/25. 8.3% of pupils were persistently absent.
What are Barlow CofE Primary School's term dates?
Barlow CofE Primary School is a voluntary controlled school, so its term dates are set by Derbyshire. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Friday 4 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Monday 26 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027). In 2027 to 2028: Autumn term: Monday 6 September to Wednesday 22 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027); Spring term: Thursday 6 January to Friday 7 April 2028 (half term Monday 21 February to Friday 25 February 2028); Summer term: Monday 24 April to Monday 24 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028).
How many road collisions happen near Barlow CofE Primary School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Derbyshire is 6 (the median across 454 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Barlow CofE Primary School?
Barlow CofE Primary School is at Millcross Lane, Barlow, Dronfield, Derbyshire, S18 7TA.
Sources: Derbyshire term dates; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)