A message from our Headteacher

Thank you for considering South Darley for your child. As Headteacher, there is nothing I enjoy more than showing families around our school, and I hope you will give me the chance to do the same for you.

We are a thriving village school in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales, serving families from Darley Dale, Matlock, Winster and the wider surrounding villages. Our children learn in three classes, an average of about 18 in a class. We are a friendly school: our door is always open, and we have places available across the school.

The best first step is a visit

Whether you are thinking about Reception entry, an in-year transfer, or a move to the area, the best way to get to know South Darley is to come and see us. Call us on 01629 732240 and we will arrange a personal tour at a time that suits you — any day of the school year, not just on set open days. You will see a normal school day, meet our staff, and talk to our children. You can also email office@southdarley.derbyshire.sch.uk.

And if you would like a look around before you pick up the phone, our school film shows you round in four minutes — you will find it on our home page.

Why Choose South Darley?

Every child is known. Our classes typically have fewer than 20 pupils. In many primary schools, that number is 30. In a school this size, every teacher knows every child, their strengths, their interests, and what they need next. I teach in the juniors myself. Your child will not be a face in a crowd.

Every child achieves. Mornings are devoted to reading, writing and maths, taught daily in classes where every child is known. It works: in summer 2026, our Year 6 children finished above the national average in reading, writing and maths. You can see the full picture on our Results page. Ofsted found that "pupils are well prepared for their next steps" — and our children leave ready for secondary school. Most go on to Highfields School in Matlock or Lady Manners School in Bakewell, and a few to Anthony Gell School in Wirksworth. In recent years several have also gone on to independent secondary education.

Every child is stretched. A village school does not mean a limited one. Every junior learns a musical instrument. Every junior child swims each year. Our curriculum follows a carefully designed four-year topic rotation, and our long-running partnership with schools in Kolkata gives children a genuine window onto the wider world. We hold Music Mark School status, an external mark of our commitment to music education.

Every child is cared for. We are a Church of England school where values shape everything we do. Our SIAMS church inspection (December 2023) confirmed that South Darley is living up to its foundation as a church school. Inspectors found that "pupils flourish because they are known as unique individuals and cared for by all staff." Children of all faiths and none are welcome, and what matters is the caring, respectful community we build together. We develop the whole child: curious, confident, and kind. Children with additional needs benefit from the individual attention that is part of everyday life in a school this size.

Every family belongs. Our church inspectors put it simply: "Many parents choose to send their children to the school because of the sense of family, fellowship and community." (SIAMS, 2023) South Darley is more than a school. Our PTA, Friends of South Darley School, welcomes every new family automatically. We have a living partnership with St Mary's Church, with regular family services, seasonal celebrations, and a pupil-led Values team. For families new to the area, the school is an instant community.

What Parents and Inspectors Say

Ofsted confirmed in June 2024 that we continue to be a good school, finding that "pupils behave very well" and "pupils enjoy learning at this school."

Parents tell us (from our 2024 and 2025 surveys):

"There is a genuine sense of care and nurture for the children and their families. Nothing is too much trouble and staff are always approachable, warm and open."

"Good relationships and care are prioritised, which models this for the children and feeds through to good behaviour."

"It is a lovely school, and we are very happy to be part of it."

You can read our full inspection reports on our Inspection Reports page.

The School Day and Wraparound Care

We understand that modern family life needs flexibility. Our school day starts at 8:40am, with registers closing at 8:50am. Children finish at 3:20pm (Infants) and 3:25pm (Juniors).

Wraparound care extends the day from 8:00am to 6:00pm — a ten-hour window with structured activities, not just supervision:

• Morning club: from 8:00am every school day, Monday to Friday (£2.50 a session, or £25 a term for a regular weekly morning booked in advance). Activities include multi-skills sports, computing, netball, gardening, and more.
• After-school club: flexible sessions from the end of the school day until 4:30pm, 5:00pm, 5:30pm, or 6:00pm (from £7.00 per session). Monday to Thursday; it doesn’t currently run on Fridays only because no family has asked, so if you need a Friday afternoon, tell us and we will actively consider it. Book by the term or on an ad-hoc basis.
• Hot school lunches: two choices daily, plus jacket potatoes, sandwiches, and lighter options.

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive Universal Infant Free School Meals, free for all families regardless of income. Junior lunches are £3.25 per day.

For full details, see our School Day and Wraparound Care pages.

How to Join Us

Starting in Reception: We take a new Reception class each September, and children join us at any time of year. Whether your child starts this year or next, you are welcome to visit at any time — you do not need to wait for the application window to open. Applications for Reception places are handled by Derbyshire County Council, through the Derbyshire school admissions portal. South Darley is a Voluntary Controlled Church of England school, so the local authority manages our admissions.

Considering transferring from another school? We warmly welcome in-year transfers at any point during the school year. Get in touch and we will respond promptly and talk it through with you.

An in-year application goes to Derbyshire County Council rather than to the school, in the same way a Reception application does. Unlike the Reception round there is no January deadline: you apply when you need the place. The council accepts applications from about half a term before the place is required but an actual start date can be decided upon to best meet your needs, whether that be very soon or at a point in the future.  It is best to talk to us directly to make these arrangements.

Come and look round before any of that. You are welcome any week of the term: call us on 01629 732240 or email office@southdarley.derbyshire.sch.uk.

Moving to the area? You don't have to live in the village; families join us from Matlock, Darley Dale and beyond. If you are relocating to the area, I would love to hear from you — we can arrange a tour at short notice. Just get in touch.

Little Darlings — before school begins

Your little darling's not at school yet? Bring them along to our weekly Little Darlings stay and play — Wednesdays, 10.00–11.30am, term time, £2 per family. A relaxed way for you both to get to know us long before Reception. Just come along, or call 01629 732240.

Find Us

South Darley C.E. Primary School, Cross Green, Darley Bridge, Nr Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 2JT

On the B5057 between Darley Dale & Winster · what3words: ///lightbulb.faced.rooks

Call us: 01629 732240 · Email: office@southdarley.derbyshire.sch.uk

Follow us on Facebook to see daily school life in action.

I look forward to welcoming you and your family.

Paul Wilde, Headteacher

Preparing Your Child for School

Once your child has a place, there is plenty you can do at home to help them feel confident and relaxed when they arrive. Here are some tips that may help:

Practical skills:

• Label all clothing clearly so it can be easily recognised.
• Practise getting dressed and undressed — including shoes. Slip-on plimsolls are the easiest to manage.
• Encourage your child to use the toilet independently.
• If your child is having school meals, help them practise using a knife and fork. 
• Encourage your child to hold a pencil or crayon correctly (not as a fist) — it makes writing and drawing much easier later on. Practise using scissors too.

Reading and communication:

• Spend time looking at books together and talking about the pictures, stories, TV programmes, and family outings.
• Help your child understand that print — in books and in the world around them — has meaning.
• Encourage recognition of their own name.
• We teach letters as phonic sounds ("a" for astronaut, "b" for basket, "c" for cat) rather than letter names. Games like "I Spy" are a great way to practise.

Early writing

• At this stage, children communicate meaning through drawing pictures and forming individual letters — even words and short phrases.
• If you help your child write their name, please use a capital letter for the first letter only (not the whole name).

Mathematics:

• Maths is best learnt through real situations and play, not formal sit-down sessions. A conversation while waiting for a bus can include comparisons of short and tall, heavy and light.
• Encourage your child to count, read, and order numbers up to at least 10, and to understand that counting to 10 means there are 10 things.
• Compare objects: which is longest, tallest, thickest? Which pencil is the longest? Which bag will be heavier?
• Sort, sequence, and order everyday objects. Spot shapes in the world around you. Make predictions whenever the opportunity arises.

You do not need special equipment — everything can be done with what you have at home and in the world outside. The key is keeping it fun!