Derby High School
School summary
Derby High School is a Church of England independent school taking pupils right through from age three to eighteen, with around 696 currently on roll. It earned the Independent Schools Inspectorate's highest grade of 'excellent', a judgement matched by its rating for pupils' personal development, and it met all compliance requirements. Around 13 per cent of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting a community willing to accommodate a range of learning needs. With a relatively small sixth form of 84, the school offers a close-knit feel as pupils approach their final qualifications.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 20 January 2026
Teaching & academics
The curriculum runs from GCSE through to A-level, with the Extended Project Qualification available for those wanting to stretch beyond the standard syllabus. The GCSE offering is broad, spanning the sciences, humanities, three modern languages, and creative and practical subjects from Art and Music to Design & Technology and Food Technology. At A-level, the sciences feature strongly alongside Psychology, Mathematics, Business Studies and Geography, reflecting a programme that balances academic and applied interests.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Head · Mrs Amy Chapman
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 84
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Spanish, German and French sit within the curriculum, giving language-minded pupils real choice. Physical Education and Sports Studies appear at both GCSE and A-level, pointing to a school where sport carries genuine academic weight as well as recreational value.
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 12.93%
- EHC plans
- 0.14%
Schools nearby
Derby Grammar School
East Midlands
Normanton House School
Derby, East Midlands
Maple View School
Derby, East Midlands
Jasmine Hall School
East Midlands
Royal School for the Deaf Derby
Derby, East Midlands
High Grange School
Mickleover, East Midlands
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Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
An all-through C of E school with top inspection marks across the board. It suits families wanting a settled, single-school journey from early years to sixth form.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Derby High School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.