SchoolScoresRowsley CofE (Controlled) Primary School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Woodhouse Road, Rowsley, Matlock, DE4 2ED
01629 733727 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 22 May 2024.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
11 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Matlock comparisons use the 17 of its 25 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 8 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Matlock | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 17 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Matlock. Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 97% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 1st highest of 17 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Matlock. Higher than 80% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 96% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 1st highest of 17 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Matlock. Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 93% | 84% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 17 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Matlock. Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100%said yes | 95% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Matlock figures pool parents at the Matlock schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
10 pupils in this year group.
80% — 21 points above the Derbyshire average, and 18 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 80% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 100% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 90% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 90% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 8 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 8 |
| Of those, offered a place | 8 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 12 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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.
This is a Church of England school, but as a voluntary controlled school its admissions are set by the council, which usually doesn't prioritise by faith. Check the council's admissions criteria.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th highest of 25 state primary schools in Matlock. Higher than 87% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 46.8% | 30.9%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 18th highest of 25 state primary schools in Matlock. Higher than 20% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 3.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 8th highest of 25 state primary schools in Matlock. Higher than 79% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 19.4% | 16.6%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 14th highest of 25 state primary schools in Matlock. Higher than 0% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 5.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 25 state primary schools in Matlock. Lower than 80% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.0% | 4.8%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 16th lowest of 25 state primary schools in Matlock. Lower than 55% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 10.9% | 10.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 16th lowest of 25 state primary schools in Matlock. Lower than 41% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.6 | 3.1 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 18th lowest of 25 state primary schools in Matlock. Lower than 25% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 18th highest of 25 state primary schools in Matlock. Higher than 9% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 15.3 | 20.1 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 15th highest of 25 state primary schools in Matlock. Higher than 15% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.5 | 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
- Stanton-in-Peak CofE Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Darley Churchtown CofE Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2024 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Darley Dale Primary School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- South Darley CofE Primary School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 44% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bakewell Methodist Academy 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2021, before conversion) · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Youlgrave, All Saints' CofE (VA) Primary School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 25% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Rowsley CofE (Controlled) Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Rowsley CofE (Controlled) Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 May 2024.
How did Rowsley CofE (Controlled) Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 80% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 18 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Rowsley CofE (Controlled) Primary School?
100% of the 11 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Rowsley CofE (Controlled) Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Rowsley CofE (Controlled) Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 8 families put Rowsley CofE (Controlled) Primary School as their first choice for 8 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 8 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 112820.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.