Pilsley CofE Primary School, Bakewell

In its own words: ""We cannot recommend Pilsley CE Primary school enough. Our daughter was very shy and had never been left away from us, she has changed massively and has become braver and more confident, her speech has come on leaps and bounds, and she is so excited to tell us what she has learnt."

From the headteacher's welcome: "The school was opened in 1849 and was built by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire to provide an education for the children of the estate's workers. Since that time, the school has undergone many building projects including the building of a new classroom in 2012."

The school runs after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Friday 20 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 90% of Year 6 pupils at Pilsley CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 80% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 73% in Derbyshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 75% in reading and 67% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 5 families put Pilsley CofE Primary School as their first choice and 18 named it as one of their preferences, for 5 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 Pilsley CofE Primary School are St Anne's CofE Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 91% reading, 91% maths); Bakewell CofE Infant School (2 miles, Good); Curbar Primary School (2.2 miles, Good, 85% reading, 77% maths); and Bakewell Methodist Academy (2.5 miles, 59% reading, 68% maths).

Pilsley CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

12.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 3.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 6 pupils (9.4%) received SEN support and 1 (1.6%) 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.

Pilsley CofE Primary School had 6 teachers in 2026, one for every 11 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Pilsley CofE Primary School.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is School (adjacent), 40 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Pilsley CofE Primary 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 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Derbyshire (50).

Pilsley CofE Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.