SchoolScoresPenny Acres Primary School
Community school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
The Common, Holmesfield, Dronfield, S18 7WP
0114 289 0330 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 21 January 2014.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 4 July 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
8 pupils in this year group.
Only 8 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
88% — 29 points above the Derbyshire average, and 26 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 88% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 38% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 100% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 88% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 100% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 112 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Derbyshire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 7 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 6 |
| Of those, offered a place | 6 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 16 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 13 state primary schools in Dronfield. Higher than 23% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.7% | 30.9%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 13 state primary schools in Dronfield. Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.7% | 3.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 11th highest of 13 state primary schools in Dronfield. Higher than 11% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.3% | 16.6%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 11th highest of 13 state primary schools in Dronfield. Higher than 0% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 5.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Dronfield. Lower than 49% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.0% | 4.8%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 13th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Dronfield. Lower than 32% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 15.1% | 10.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 13 state primary schools in Dronfield. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 3.1 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 13 state primary schools in Dronfield. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 13 state primary schools in Dronfield. Higher than 49% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.5 | 20.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 13 state primary schools in Dronfield. Higher than 57% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.1 | 10.5 | 10.6 |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26.
Nearby primary schools
- William Levick Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2024 · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Andrew's CofE Methodist (Aided) Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025 · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Totley Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 92% met expected standard (KS2)
- Gorseybrigg Primary School and Nursery 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- Totley All Saints CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 strong · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bradway Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Dore Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 82% met expected standard (KS2)
- Barlow CofE Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
- Dronfield Junior School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Dronfield Infant School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Penny Acres Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Penny Acres Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 21 January 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 4 July 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Penny Acres Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 26 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Penny Acres Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 6 families put Penny Acres Primary School as their first choice for 7 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 6 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 112565.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.