Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #24 in Derbyshire public Top 27% UK

New Mills School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMrs Heather Watts

location_onHigh Peak, SK22 4NR

language Visit Website phone 1663743284

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2025

groups

Students

670

trending_up

Attainment 8

44.5

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#20 in Derbyshire

#1,824 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

New Mills School is a Community school secondary school in High Peak, serving ages 11-16. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

article

School Summary

New Mills School is a community school in High Peak, Derbyshire, admitting pupils aged 11-16. The school has approximately 680 pupils on roll, of whom 28% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 44.5, placing the school #20 in Derbyshire and #1,824 of 3,216 nationally. 30.10% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 12.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2025. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 19.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 5.3 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

44.5

Grade 5+ E&M

30.10%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)12.5%

Entering EBacc30.90%

EBacc APS3.76

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.18

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23.60%

EBacc APS4.06

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.11

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc30%

EBacc APS3.77

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19%

EBacc APS3.73

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc29%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.41

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc24%

EBacc APS3.59

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc31%

EBacc APS3.83

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

88%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

11 March 2025

Inspection Report

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13 September 2022

Inspection Report

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12 September 2017

Inspection Report

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17 June 2015

Inspection Report

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17 March 2015

Inspection Report

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07 October 2014

Inspection Report

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01 May 2014

Inspection Report

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21 January 2014

Inspection Report

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13 September 2011

Inspection Report

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16 November 2009

Inspection Report

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18 March 2009

Inspection Report

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30 October 2007

Inspection Report

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08 February 2006

Inspection Report

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28 February 2000

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2025-03-11

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Not Judged

info

Why no overall grade?

From autumn 2024, Ofsted stopped issuing a single headline grade (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate). Instead, each inspection area is graded individually. This follows a major review after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023. The overall effectiveness field is left as "Not judged" in the published data.

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2022-09-13

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Requires improvement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2017-09-12

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2015-06-17

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

4.4%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.5%(17 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 680 pupils. During this period, there were 30 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.4%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	680	30	4.4%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	684	42	6.1%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	663	38	5.7%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	660	26	3.9%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	669	50	7.5%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	664	30	4.5%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	670	29	4.3%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	682	55	8.1%	5.9%	3
2021/22 (Summer term)	609	23	3.8%	4.7%	3
2021/22 (Spring term)	611	62	10.1%	4.9%	2
2021/22 (Autumn term)	610	45	7.4%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	617	28	4.5%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	621	9	1.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	613	16	2.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	579	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	579	36	6.2%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	575	22	3.8%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	519	3	0.6%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	524	33	6.3%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	517	21	4.1%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	496	27	5.4%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	495	21	4.2%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	496	26	5.2%	3.7%	2
2016/17 (Summer term)	539	16	3.0%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	542	11	2.0%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	550	17	3.1%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 32 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 31 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 29 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 20 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 19 pupils

Physical Disability 6 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

89.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

92.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

12.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree39%

agree50%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree25%

agree36%

disagree22%

strongly disagree6%

don't know11%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree25%

agree19%

strongly disagree8%

don't know6%

not applicable42%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree67%

agree25%

disagree8%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree69%

agree19%

disagree3%

strongly disagree6%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree64%

agree31%

disagree3%

strongly disagree3%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree64%

agree25%

disagree8%

don't know3%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree75%

agree19%

disagree3%

don't know3%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree56%

agree28%

disagree3%

strongly disagree6%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes89%

no11%

Top Secondary Schools in Derbyshire

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy

Outstanding

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Good

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John Flamsteed Community School

Good

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Lady Manners School

Good

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John Port Spencer Academy

Good

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Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School

Good

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View all schools in Derbyshire arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Derbyshire

St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy

The Ecclesbourne School

John Flamsteed Community School

Lady Manners School

John Port Spencer Academy

Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School