Woodbridge Junior School, Alfreton

Ofsted's report card from its 2 June 2026 inspection grades Woodbridge Junior School on 6 areas: 3 expected standard and 3 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Expected standard. "This is a highly inclusive school where leaders and staff have a secure understanding of pupils' unique needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have accurately identified the school's strengths and areas for development."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders provide a well-designed, extensive personal development programme."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils' achievement in national tests in reading, writing and mathematics has typically been significantly below the national averages over time."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Leaders' oversight of attendance has not been as effective as it should have been."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders have provided a broad and balanced curriculum that has been carefully designed to develop pupils' knowledge and skills across a range of subjects."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that they embed consistently effective teaching and use of assessment across the school so that all groups of pupils make suitable progress through the curriculum"; "Leaders should ensure that they improve pupils' achievement so that a greater proportion achieve at least in line with national averages in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6"; "Leaders should ensure that they take effective action to improve attendance and reduce rates of persistent absence for all groups of pupils"; "Leaders and governors should ensure that the new leadership structure is quickly embedded, leading to rapid improvement and consistently strong standards across all areas of the school's work".

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am incredibly proud and privileged to introduce myself as the new Headteacher of Woodbridge Junior School. It is a genuine pleasure to welcome you to our wonderful school community and to share with you the values, ambition, and opportunities that make Woodbridge such a special place to learn and grow."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 59% of Year 6 pupils at Woodbridge Junior School reached the expected standard in reading and 61% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 73% in Derbyshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (65% in reading, 54% in maths).

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

Across Derbyshire, 95% of families were offered their first-choice primary school for 2026 entry, and 99% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Derbyshire lodged 161 appeals against primary school offers; 108 reached a hearing and 13 succeeded (12% of those heard).

The nearest other state primary schools to Woodbridge Junior School are Croft Infant School (0.1 miles, Good); Copthorne Community Infant School (0.5 miles, Good); Leys Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 69% reading, 73% maths); and Christ the King Catholic Voluntary Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 96% reading, 96% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Woodbridge Junior School.

50.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 7.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (82%) and Asian (5%).

In 2026, 76 pupils (33.6%) received SEN support and 22 (9.7%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Alfreton Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sir David Nieper Academy (adjacent), 80 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 113 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Derbyshire (50), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Woodbridge Junior School issued 1 suspension, 0.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Woodbridge Junior School are David Nieper Academy (under 0.1 miles) and Swanwick Hall School (1.5 miles).