Denby Church of England Voluntary Aided First School, Huddersfield

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades Denby Church of England Voluntary Aided First School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders place a high emphasis on attendance, which means that it remains consistently above national averages."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well across the curriculum."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have taken thoughtful and deliberate action to strengthen the curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Provision in the early years is nurturing, purposeful and underpinned by positive relationships."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a culture of inclusion and have a genuine commitment to meeting pupils' individual needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leadership is reflective, collaborative and effective."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils feel safe, valued and well supported by staff."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teachers have the expertise that they need to identify and resolve pupils' misconceptions swiftly to avoid pupils making repeated mistakes, which can hinder their learning"; "Leaders should ensure that the personal development curriculum consistently deepens pupils' understanding of different cultures, communities and protected characteristics, enabling pupils to be as prepared as possible for life in modern Britain".

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am Lynsey Wagstaff, and I am delighted to have been appointed to the role of Headteacher at such a wonderful, warm and friendly school. I am a shared Head across the federation of schools, supporting not only Denby First School but the schools of Farnley Tyas and Thurstonland too."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care until 5:30pm.

For September 2026 entry, 10 families put Denby Church of England Voluntary Aided First School as their first choice and 25 named it as one of their preferences, for 10 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Denby Church of England Voluntary Aided First School are Denby Dale First and Nursery School (1.3 miles, Good); Cumberworth CofE First School (1.4 miles); Birdsedge First School (1.5 miles, Good); and St Aidan's Church of England Academy (2 miles, Good).

5.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 6 pupils (11.5%) received SEN support and 1 (1.9%) 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.

Denby Church of England Voluntary Aided First School had 6 teachers in 2026, one for every 9 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Denby Dale Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Falledge First School, 20 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 4 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kirklees (153).

Denby Church of England Voluntary Aided First School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.