Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School, Swadlincote

In its own words: "Our Pre-school is a welcoming, nurturing space where young children grow with confidence, curiosity, and joy. Our two rooms - Little Legends for ages 2-3 and Mini Marvels for ages 3-4, provide age‑appropriate environments that support every stage of early development. We do this through play, exploration, and by building strong, effective relationships."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Fairmeadows Foundation Primary school is a one form entry primary school with an attached Governor Led Pre-School. There are currently 210 pupils on roll in main school with 16 in our Governor Led Pre-School. Our excellent outcomes at Key Stage 2 indicate that all groups of pupils thrive academically in the Fairmeadows environment, particularly disadvantaged pupils."

In 2025, 74% of Year 6 pupils at Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 81% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 73% in Derbyshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 87% in reading and 90% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 39 families put Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School as their first choice and 74 named it as one of their preferences, for 29 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 11 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School are Newhall Junior School (0.5 miles, 66% reading, 53% maths); Newhall Infant School (0.5 miles, Good); St Edward's Catholic Academy (0.8 miles, Good, 65% reading, 52% maths); and Elmsleigh Infant & Nursery School (0.8 miles).

Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 2 of them.

45 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School (as of September 2025): 93% would recommend the school, 93% say their child is happy there and 62% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (96%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (62%).

36.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 9.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 78 pupils (37.7%) received SEN support and 14 (6.8%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Burton-on-Trent Rail Station, about 3.2 miles away in a straight line.

17 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Edwards Court (adjacent), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 149 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Derbyshire (50), as is usual near a town centre.

Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School are Mercia Academy (0.5 miles), The Pingle Academy (0.6 miles), Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy (1.6 miles) and Paulet High School (1.7 miles).