Bolsover Infant School, Chesterfield

Ofsted's report card from its 15 September 2026 inspection grades Bolsover Infant School on 7 areas: 6 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance is improving for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils, although it remains below the national average."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a broad and well-sequenced curriculum that builds from the early years into key stage 1."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children are happy and settle well in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have created an inclusive culture where pupils' individual needs are understood and valued."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the school's strengths and the areas that need further improvement."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Not all pupils achieve as well as they should."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teachers consistently identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge more precisely so that pupils secure the knowledge and skills they need to achieve well"; "Leaders should further improve attendance, particularly for pupils who are persistently absent, so that more pupils attend school well and benefit fully from their education".

For September 2026 entry, 76 families put Bolsover Infant School as their first choice and 115 named it as one of their preferences, for 77 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Bolsover Infant School are Bolsover Church of England Junior School (0.3 miles, Good, 69% reading, 54% maths); New Bolsover Primary and Nursery School (0.6 miles, Good, 47% reading, 50% maths); Palterton Primary School (1.4 miles); and Brockley Primary School (1.6 miles, Good, 83% reading, 67% maths).

5.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 37 pupils (14.7%) received SEN support and 5 (2%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

Bolsover Infant School had 14 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Creswell (Derbys) Rail Station, about 3.8 miles away in a straight line.

24 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Steel Lane (opposite), 70 metres away.

In 2024/25, Bolsover Infant School issued 18 suspensions, 7.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.