Cotmanhay Infant and Nursery School, Ilkeston
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
This school excels at creating a caring, inclusive environment where every child is valued. Teachers use their strong knowledge to adapt teaching to individual needs, ensuring disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs receive timely, effective support. The school goes beyond academics to fill what staff call pupils' 'empty rucksacks' of experiences through local visits, clubs and enrichment activities that broaden horizons.
Key Strengths
- Pupils behave exceptionally well with positive attitudes to learning in a calm, happy atmosphere
- Strong systematic phonics programme with well-trained staff supporting early reading development
- Effective support systems for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs, with significantly reduced persistent absence
- Ambitious early years curriculum helping young children make good progress from low starting points
- Excellent pastoral care and enrichment activities including clubs like boxercise, football and crochet
Areas for Improvement
- Writing achievement is less secure than reading and mathematics, though whole-school improvement work is underway
- Proportion of children achieving good level of development in Reception is below national average
- Pupils' understanding of cultural diversity and fundamental British values is variable
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met with leaders and governors fulfilling responsibilities, establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed, making pupils safer and helping them feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Boxercise, football clubs, crochet clubs, local visits linked to topics, school council activities including litter picking and book café, outdoor activities
Cotmanhay Infant and Nursery School is a happy, safe place where pupils behave well and achieve in line with national averages. The school provides strong support for its disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs, with a particular focus on early reading and mathematics.
At a Glance
68.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
24.7
Avg class size
22.7
Infant (KS1)
9
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute Calculator
Find out if this school is reachable from your home - before you apply
What are my chances?
Enter your postcode to estimate your probability of getting a place.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
95%
Near capacity
229 pupils
240 capacity
11 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Ilkeston
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Ilkeston
Admissions Demand - Derbyshire
Places available
9,886
Applications
7,225
Got 1st preference
96.4%
Got preferred school
99.2%
Primary admissions across Derbyshire (2025/26)
Inspection History(19)
House Prices
Moving into the catchment? See what homes near this school actually cost
SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.01852%
Overall absence
23.25581%
Persistent absence
129
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
No reviews yet - be the first to leave one.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Cotmanhay Infant and Nursery School
Nearby Schools
Do you work at this school?
Claim your profile free to get a verified badge, update your contact details, and see how many parents are viewing your page.