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Reviewed

The Ecclesbourne School

State school · Belper, DE56 4GS
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-18
  • 1,576 pupils
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A truly superb state school where the challenging extracurricular expands the mind and the consistently excellent academic results dazzle, turning out responsible, thoughtful and intelligent young people. You might have to ‘buy into’ catchment, however, to have any hope of attending.

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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
1,576 ·
Sixth form numbers
388 ·
Religion
None
Local authority
Derbyshire County Council

Headteacher

Headteacher

Mr James McNamara

Since 2011, James McNamara BA (history, Manchester University), who joined the school in 2003 and rapidly climbed the career ladder. While great teachers generally have an inconvenient habit of bouncing off to another school in search of promotion,

Entrance

Now 240 year 7 places (an eight class intake). Some 500 applicants. A glance in an estate agent’s window shows houses selling at a healthy price, boasting ‘within catchment’. Parents were up front about deliberately moving into the catchment area and

Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Duffield the Meadows Primary School 20 %
Walter Evans Church of England Aided Primary School 15 %
William Gilbert Endowed Church of England Primary School 13 %
Little Eaton Primary School 11 %
Other 11 %
Where the number of students is less than 10, we cannot say where they've come from or where they are going to due to data protection rules.
Portway Junior School 7 %
The Curzon CofE Primary School 7 %
Unknown 4 %
Where the school a student attended before or after this school is not known. These might be students who have come from or going to home schooling, independent schools, moving abroad etc.
Lawn Primary School 3 %
Kirk Langley CofE Primary School 3 %
Mugginton CofE Primary School 2 %
Milford Primary School 2 %
Holbrook Church of England Primary School 1 %
Markeaton Primary School 1 %
Data highlight

Exit

Around 70 per cent stay on to sixth form (90 per cent get the grades to stay on – broadly five good GCSEs – but might choose to go elsewhere, perhaps for more vocational offerings). Just under half to Russell Group universities. One or two to

% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)

School
82%
LA avg.
65%
Eng. avg.
66%
Data highlight

What is this?

The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.

Latest results

In 2024, 34 per cent A*/A at GCSE; 28 per cent A*/A at A level (58 per cent A*-B).

GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
69.3%
LA avg.
44%
Eng. avg.
45.9%
Data highlight

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)

School
37.16
LA avg.
32.51
Eng. avg.
34.45
Data highlight

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Teaching & learning

A broad curriculum runs from year 7, offering three languages (which they will run even with small numbers). All students study two languages and 70 per cent take one at GCSE. At A level, there are more diverse choices such as sociology.

At GCSE,

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • BTEC
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
86
Number of teachers
18:1
Pupil to teacher ratio

Learning support & SEN

The enhanced learning department provides extra support where needed. Head says the school invests more than is allowed for in the budget. The aim is for every child to be embedded in school life. The department is smack bang in the centre of the

1.8 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
8.4 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

The house system (names inspired by famous men and women of Derbyshire) means lots of competitions: music, sport - a mini Olympics, even - chess, drama. The house captain writes the play, usually a variation on a classic with an Ecclesbourne twist,

Sport

Sport is very much encouraged: football (the girls were county champions in 2018), hockey, basketball, athletics, badminton, rugby, orienteering, dance. One parent grumbled faintly about the lack of sports fixtures, suggesting some success was

Ethos & heritage

Established in 1957 as a grammar, the school has undergone a number of changes over the years to become the sprawling non-selective academy it is today. Head describes it as ‘classic 50s build’ but the number of modern add-ons, all organically in

Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

Intake not particularly diverse but parents said that school is inclusive and celebrates individualism (whether gay, straight, footballing genius or arts fiend). 'There is an expectation that everyone can be themselves.’ Some parents felt the school

Pupils & parents

As one parent commented, Ecclesbourne parents tend to be ‘very interested in education and keen to know all about homework’. Head avers that he welcomes their high expectations. They are also very supportive and proactive about raising funds.

1,576
Number of pupils

The last word

A truly superb state school where the challenging extracurricular expands the mind and the consistently excellent academic results dazzle, turning out responsible, thoughtful and intelligent young people. You might have to ‘buy into’ catchment,

Inspection reports

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Good

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Good
Quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Good

Full inspection: Inadequate

Personal development Good
Quality of education Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes Good
Leadership and management Inadequate
Sixth form provision Good

This school has not provided any information yet

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Contact the school

Address

Wirksworth Road
Duffield
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 4GS
Get directions

Telephone: 01332 840645

Email: enquiries@ecclesbourne.derbyshire.sch.uk

Website: https://www.ecclesbourne.derbyshire.sch.uk/

Local authority: Derbyshire County Council

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 Independent school · Derby, DE65 6FH ( miles)
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • 13-18
  • From £40,665 pa
  • 627 pupils
  • Boarding
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School data & information The Ecclesbourne School Wirksworth Road, Duffield, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 4GS
1,576 Pupil numbers
388 Sixth form numbers
7.5 % % of pupils eligible for free school meals
1 % Pupils whose first language is not English
18:1 Pupil to teacher ratio
86 Number of teachers
12 Number of teaching assistants
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by The Ecclesbourne School and is updated annually. See the review

% achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
69.3%
LA avg.
44%
Eng. avg.
45.9%

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average overall GCSE score (attainment 8) (2024)

School
57.20
LA avg.
44.60
Eng. avg.
45.90

What is this?

Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Improvement rates in core subjects (progress 8) (2024)

0.41 Score Above average
≈ 16% of schools in England

What is a progress score?

This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. This is based on results in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCSE (9-1) Full Course 52 6
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 33 6
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 148 7
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 48 7
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 27 5
Mathematics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 235 6
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 118 6
German GCSE (9-1) Full Course 40 6
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 127 6
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 68 6
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 231 6
English Language GCSE (9-1) Full Course 235 6
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 25 6
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 49 6
D&T Food Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 53 7
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 43 6
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 148 7
Business Studies:Single GCSE (9-1) Full Course 119 6
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 148 7
Art & Design (Fine Art) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 45 7

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
21.8%
LA avg.
14.5%
Eng. avg.
17.1%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
37.16
LA avg.
32.51
Eng. avg.
34.45

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Sociology GCE A level 33 B
Religious Studies GCE A level 9 B
Psychology GCE A level 36 B
Physics GCE A level 21 B
Music GCE A level 7 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 11 B
Mathematics GCE A level 67 B
History GCE A level 29 B
Geography GCE A level 33 B
French GCE A level 8 A
English Literature GCE A level 43 A
Economics GCE A level 41 A
Drama and Theatre Studies GCE A level 14 C
Computer Studies / Computing GCE A level 20 B
Chemistry GCE A level 30 A
Business Studies:Single GCE A level 63 B
Biology GCE A level 55 B
Art and Design (Textiles) GCE A level 11 A
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 12 A*
Mathematics (Further) GCE AS level 14 B

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 12 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 11 exit (average 2020-2022)

Year 13 exit

SEN overview

The Ecclesbourne School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Enhanced Learning provision at Ecclesbourne School is additional to, or otherwise different from the provision made for other students within the school: for example, individual or small group lessons within the Enhanced Learning Faculty, in-class support, Individualised Education Plans or a differentiated curriculum.

Ecclesbourne School recognises that children have special educational needs if they:

i.have problems in learning or in acquiring basic skills functionally; ii.have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making the appropriate use of educational facilities provided for children of the same age in schools within the area.

For those students within the normal area served by the school, the Head of Enhanced Learning contacts, and visits, all partner primary schools in May/June of each year to discuss, in detail, students with any type of special need. Much earlier contact is maintained as appropriate, with school, parents, education psychologists, the primary support teaching service, advisory teachers, medical staff etc. For students with a statements of special educational need, significant physical disabilities or other severe learning/health problems. The views of special needs students and their parents are also sought and welcomed prior to entry. Statemented students and their parents visit the school at least twice and the students concerned will be seen in their existing schools by the Head of Enhanced Learning.

1.8 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
8.4 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

No information available from the school. Find out more.

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Good

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Good
Quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Good

Full inspection: Inadequate

Personal development Good
Quality of education Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes Good
Leadership and management Inadequate
Sixth form provision Good
Our data explained
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