Middleton Community Primary School, Matlock

Ofsted's report card from its 10 February 2026 inspection grades Middleton Community Primary School on 7 areas: 3 strong standard, 3 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Strong standard. "Children get an excellent start to their education."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Inclusion lies at the heart of the school's work."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders demonstrate unswerving commitment to providing all pupils with meaningful, aspirational opportunities that they might not otherwise experience."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Most pupils progress well through the school's curriculum and achieve well."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed the curriculum since the last inspection."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are rightly proud of their school community where everyone is valued and respected, and staff are committed to doing their best for every pupil."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Overall, attendance remains below the national average, and improving this area is a priority for the school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should analyse attendance information precisely to alert them to emerging issues. They should intervene early and provide appropriate targeted support for pupils so they attend school well"; "Leaders should ensure that all staff identify misconceptions in pupils' spelling, punctuation, grammar and handwriting. This is so all pupils secure basic skills in writing and consistently produce high-quality written work across the curriculum".

In 2025, 89% of Year 6 pupils at Middleton Community Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 94% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 73% in Derbyshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 93% in reading and 79% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 11 families put Middleton Community Primary School as their first choice and 23 named it as one of their preferences, for 11 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 Middleton Community Primary School are Wirksworth CofE Infant School (1.2 miles, Good); Cromford Church of England Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 43% reading, 43% maths); Wirksworth Junior School (1.3 miles, Good, 72% reading, 52% maths); and Bonsall CofE (A) Primary School (1.5 miles, Good, 57% reading, 71% maths).

Middleton Community Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

49 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Middleton Community Primary School (as of April 2026): 90% would recommend the school, 92% say their child is happy there and 71% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (92%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (71%).

0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (88%) and Mixed (7%).

In 2026, 23 pupils (24.7%) received SEN support and 3 (3.2%) 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.

Middleton Community Primary School had 7 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Wirksworth (Ecclesbourne Valley Railway), about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Church (adjacent), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 16 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Derbyshire (50).

In 2024/25, Middleton Community Primary School issued 11 suspensions, 11.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.