South Darley has a strong track record across both Ofsted and church school inspections.

Ofsted

Ofsted last visited on 27 June 2024. This was an ungraded inspection, at which Ofsted does not award graded judgements, and it confirmed that the school "continues to be a good school." Inspectors found that "the school is calm and orderly", that "pupils behave very well", and that the school "provides many opportunities for pupils' wider development." Our previous inspection, in June 2019, judged the school Good.

What Ofsted asked us to improve, and what we have done since

School update: September 2026.

At the June 2024 inspection, Ofsted asked us to set out more clearly what children should learn as they progress through some subjects and the early years curriculum. Inspectors also asked us to ensure that classroom activities support the intended learning.

Since that inspection, South Darley C.E. Primary School has continued developing and embedding its curriculum:

• Reception: We have mapped out and documented the learning intentions and expectations for our youngest children, alongside the statutory Early Learning Goals. These plans make explicit links to what children learn in Years 1 and 2.

• Learning across the school: We have continued embedding the curriculum so that learning in later years builds on what children have learnt earlier.

• Staff development and oversight: Staff continue to undertake subject training, including our science lead’s work with the Ogden Trust. Governors regularly review school improvement priorities and hold the headteacher accountable for standards.

We continue to refine and develop our curriculum. This is the school’s own account of its improvement work. These changes have not yet been independently evaluated.

You can find more information on our Curriculum and Questions parents ask pages.

Statutory Inspection of Anglican & Methodist School (SIAMS)

Our SIAMS church school inspection in 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."

The reports are available to download below.