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.
5. Holbrook Church of England Primary School - Sunday Times ranking - 576th
At Holbrook Church of England Primary School in Belper 90% of pupils met the government’s expected standard in 2023/24. The primary, which had 20 pupils at the end of key stage 2, was visited by Ofsted in April 2025. Ofsted made the following key judgements following the school inspection: quality of education, Leadership and management and early years provision were rated 'good', while behaviour and attitudes as well as personal development were named 'outstanding'. Photo: Google
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6. Lawn Primary School - ranking 749th
This is a primary academy in the Allestree area, with a roll size of about 430. It was formerly rated ‘outstanding’ overall by Ofsted. In the 2023/24 school year, 75% of its pupils met the government’s expected standards in reading, writing, and maths - compared to averages of 56% in Derby and 61% nationally. | Google
7. William Gilbert Endowed Church of England Primary School
William Gilbert is an Anglican primary academy in Duffield, a larger school with about 250 pupils. It had a higher proportion of pupils meet the Government’s expected standards in reading, writing, and maths than both the Derbyshire and national averages. In the 2023/24 school year, it also had an overall absence rate of 3.1%. Parent Power ranking - 812th | Google
8. Brimington Junior School, Chesterfield
Brimington Junior School at Springvale Road in Brimington, Chesterfield. Parent Power ranking is 927th Photo: Google