The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026 has highlighted the 8 highest performing primary schools in Derby and Derbyshire, marking out the city as a strong place for early education.
The guide is known for its rigorous approach. It weighs academic results alongside wider context so parents can see how schools truly compare at local and national level.
The guide has ranked the 1,000 top primary schools in England based on average scores in English, grammar and maths.
This year’s edition appears during a period of pressure on the education system, yet it still manages to spotlight real strengths. It shows classrooms where teaching is focused, leadership is steady and students are encouraged to grow with confidence.
At the 1,000 highest-achieving primary schools in the Sunday Times Parent Power league table, a laser focus on reading has produced exceptional Sats scores and given pupils a strong foundation for further success.
The top Derby primaries stand out for consistent achievement and for building learning habits that last well beyond the early years.
See the Parent Power Guide 2026 here.
1. Redhill Primary School - best primary in the East Midlands
Redhill Primary School in Ockbrook had an impressive 100% of pupils meeting expected standards for reading, writing and maths in 2024. The school had 32 pupils at the end of key stage 2 this year and was rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted in December 2023. 12th place nationally in the Parent Power Guide 2026. Photo: Google
2. Kirkstead Junior Academy - 2nd place (national ranking 111th)
Kirkstead Junior Academy in Pinxton had 61 pupils at the end of key stage 2 with 89% meeting expected standards for reading, writing and maths in 2024. The school was rated 'good' by Ofsted in June 2022 with leadership and management highlighted as 'outstanding'. Pinxton is a village and civil parish in Derbyshire on the western boundary of Nottinghamshire Photo: Google
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3. Griffe Field Primary School - 3rd place (192nd place)
Griffe Field is a primary academy in the Littleover area, with about 460 pupils. It was formerly rated ‘outstanding’ overall by Ofsted. | Google
4. Osmaston CofE Primary School - Parent power ranking - 446th
This local authority-maintained Anglican primary school, in the village of Osmaston in the Derbyshire Dales, is also an above average academic achiever. It has about 146 pupils. In the 2023/24 school year, it had an overall absence rate of 2.9%. | Google