Hilltop Primary Academy, Ashbourne

In its own words: "During 2025, we reviewed our mission statement, vision and values. These will form the basis of our continual drive for improvement and are at the heart of everything we do. We will enable every pupil to become happy, secure, enthusiastic life-long learners who can experience and celebrate personal success."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We all strive to provide the best provision for all of the pupils who attend our school. This includes their academic education, British values, behaviours and the knowledge and skills that will help them to become life-long learners, respectful citizens and successful members of the global community."

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

In 2025, 53% of Year 6 pupils at Hilltop Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 59% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 73% in Derbyshire and 77% and 75% across England.

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

For September 2026 entry, 17 families put Hilltop Primary Academy as their first choice and 26 named it as one of their preferences, for 20 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 Hilltop Primary Academy are St Oswald's CofE Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 87% reading, 84% maths); Ashbourne Primary School (0.9 miles); Clifton CofE Primary School (1.1 miles, Requires improvement, 87% reading, 87% maths); and Osmaston CofE (VC) Primary School (1.4 miles, Good, 90% reading, 90% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Hilltop Primary Academy.

Hilltop Primary Academy is one of 15 schools run by Tapestry Learning Partnership, an academy trust.

35.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 10.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 10 pupils (7.9%) received SEN support and 14 (11.1%) 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.

Hilltop Primary Academy has a resourced provision for profound and multiple learning difficulties: 5 places, 4 pupils on roll.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Hilltop Primary Academy.

15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hilltop Infants (s-bound), 40 metres away.

In 2024/25, Hilltop Primary Academy issued 8 suspensions, 6.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.