Dame Catherine Harpur's School
Derby, Derbyshire, East Midlands · DE73 7JW
With just 37 pupils on its roll, Dame Catherine Harpur's School is among the smallest independent schools a family is likely to encounter. Mixed and fee-paying, it sits in Derby and is led by Ms Lorna Harvey. The intimate scale is the defining feature here: classes are tiny, and pupils are known as individuals rather than as faces in a crowd. Families drawn to a close-knit, family-style setting over the bustle of a larger institution will find much to consider.
37
Pupils
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Pupils
- 37
- Location
- Derby, Derbyshire, East Midlands
- Website
- https://damecatherines.org/
Headteacher
Head Ms Lorna Harvey
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Teaching & academics
As an independent school inspected by the ISI, the focus falls on small-group teaching where the size of the roll allows close attention to each child. More than a quarter of pupils receive SEN support, a notably high proportion that suggests the school is geared towards children who benefit from additional help and a tailored approach.
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 27.03%
- EHC plans
- 2.7%
Ethos & heritage
- Boarding
- No
Inspection reports
- Last inspected
- 29 March 2023
The last word
A genuinely small, personal school where every pupil is known by name. Best suited to families seeking individual attention and a supportive environment, particularly where extra learning support matters.
The Passmate verdict
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Dame Catherine Harpur's School 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Dame Catherine Harpur's School located?
Dame Catherine Harpur's School is located at Derby, DE73 7JW.
What type of school is Dame Catherine Harpur's School?
Dame Catherine Harpur's School is an independent (fee-paying) school in East Midlands.
How many pupils attend Dame Catherine Harpur's School?
Dame Catherine Harpur's School has approximately 37 pupils on roll.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.