Melbourne Infant & Nursery School, Derby

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades Melbourne Infant & Nursery School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Overall, pupils develop well the key foundations for future learning."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils enjoy attending school and are rarely absent."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have recently re-designed the well-considered curriculum to take account of the school's new mixed-age classes."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders are ambitious for children to make the best possible start at school."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise inclusion in the school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are ambitious for all pupils to achieve a high standard of education and care."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a carefully-considered personal development programme."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should strengthen their oversight of the school's work so they can identify swiftly, and address robustly, any inconsistencies in the teaching of the curriculum or in the implementation of policies and procedures"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers check pupils' understanding regularly to provide timely feedback that addresses errors and misconceptions, particularly in relation to pupils handwriting and spelling"; "Leaders should strengthen their systems for supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This includes, setting precise targets and clearly defining support, in addition to engaging parents and carers more in the process".

From the headteacher's welcome: "As a good school we believe very much in enabling children with opportunities to learn through first hand, practical experiences which are meaningful and most of all fun! We offer a high standard of education and are committed to providing all the children with the best possible start to their educational careers."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include gymnastics and karate.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care until 4:30pm.

For September 2026 entry, 33 families put Melbourne Infant & Nursery School as their first choice and 41 named it as one of their preferences, for 34 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 Melbourne Infant & Nursery School are Melbourne Junior School (under 0.1 miles, Good, 85% reading, 83% maths); Weston-on-Trent CofE (VA) Primary School (1.8 miles, Good, 74% reading, 58% maths); St Hardulph's Church of England Primary School (2 miles, Good, 75% reading, 50% maths); and Chellaston Fields Spencer Academy (2.4 miles, Good).

59 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Melbourne Infant & Nursery School (as of September 2026): 95% would recommend the school, 98% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (90%).

12.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (87%) and Mixed (7%).

In 2026, 12 pupils (8.6%) received SEN support and 1 (0.7%) 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.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Melbourne Infant & Nursery School.

16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Primary School (adjacent), 100 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Melbourne Infant & Nursery School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 10 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Derbyshire (50).

Melbourne Infant & Nursery School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.