SchoolScoresSt John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of ST RALPH SHERWIN CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Alvaston Street, Alvaston, Derby, DE24 0PA
01332 572154 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 24 October 2023.
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 | Good |
| 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
33 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Derby comparisons use the 52 of its 107 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 55 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 | Derby | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 49th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derby. Higher than 5% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 92% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 49th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derby. Higher than 4% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 52nd highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derby. Higher than 3% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 88% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 14 parents whose child had been bullied 34th highest of 34 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derby. Higher than 11% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 36% | 56% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 26 parents who had raised a concern 51st highest of 51 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derby. Higher than 2% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 80% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 50th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derby. Higher than 7% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67%said yes | 88% | 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. Derby figures pool parents at the Derby 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
33 pupils in this year group.
61% — 4 points above the Derby average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derby | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 61% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 6% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 76% | 70% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 82% | 67% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 61% | 69% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 104 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 103 | 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 Derby. 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 | 17 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 17 |
| Of those, offered a place | 17 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 33 |
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 Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Derby | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 71st highest of 107 state primary schools in Derby. Higher than 47% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 20.2% | 39.2%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 45th highest of 107 state primary schools in Derby. Higher than 56% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.3% | 3.8%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 28th highest of 107 state primary schools in Derby. Higher than 75% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.6% | 15.6%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 33rd highest of 107 state primary schools in Derby. Higher than 81% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 33.9% | 36.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 54th lowest of 107 state primary schools in Derby. Lower than 46% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.1% | 5.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) Joint 82nd lowest of 107 state primary schools in Derby. Lower than 22% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 17.6% | 15.1%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 82nd lowest of 107 state primary schools in Derby. Lower than 29% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.7 | 1.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 94th lowest of 107 state primary schools in Derby. Lower than 17% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.2% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 58th highest of 106 state primary schools in Derby. Higher than 52% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.8 | 21.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 51st highest of 107 state primary schools in Derby. Higher than 55% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.0 | 10.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 45th highest of 97 state primary schools in Derby. Higher than 44% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 10.8% | 12.6%* | 14.4%* |
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; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Alvaston Infant and Nursery School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023
- Alvaston Junior Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 41% met expected standard (KS2)
- Wyndham Spencer Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oakwood Infant and Nursery School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023
- Oakwood Junior School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lakeside Primary Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
- Landau Forte Academy Moorhead 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oak Grange Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 3 expected
- Clover Leys Spencer Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Allenton Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 32% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 24 October 2023.
How did St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 61% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, about the same as the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy?
67% of the 33 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 17 families put St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy as their first choice for 17 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 17 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 138514.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- 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.