Best 3 Secondary schools in Derbyshire – comparison

Q: How are these comparisons built?

We align public datasets side-by-side. Headline Ofsted judgement and publication date are shown when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; free users see rounded values.

Q: What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded Section 8 visits do not replace the last graded judgement. We continue to show the latest graded judgement until a new graded inspection is published.

Q: Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are Pro features. Everyone can still compare approximate values.

Q: How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then consider distance and travel, roll versus capacity, and the admissions policy. Visit the school, ask about pastoral support and enrichment, and ensure it fits your child’s needs.

Q: What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; review capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and look at trust or local authority governance. Read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding details.

Comparison of secondary schools: St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy (Secondary) in Chesterfield; Landau Forte College (Secondary) in Derby; Heanor Gate Spencer Academy (Secondary) in Heanor — covering Ofsted outcomes, size, FSM%, governance, capacity & more.

At a glance

This page compares St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy, Landau Forte College and Heanor Gate Spencer Academy. They are secondary phase and academy converter and academy sponsor led type located around Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Derby, Derbyshire and Heanor, Derbyshire. The strongest headline Ofsted judgement here is 1 (St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy), published Jul 2024. The most recent inspection on record is for St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy (Jul 2024). average roll around ≈ 1,350, combined total ≈ 4,050, typical FSM 25–30%, range 15–20%–30–35%; spread across trusts such as Landau Forte Charitable Trust and THE SPENCER ACADEMIES TRUST.

🔒 Export (Pro)

Attribute	St Mary's Catholic High School, A Catholic Voluntary Academy S41 8AG	Landau Forte College DE1 2LF	Heanor Gate Spencer Academy DE75 7RA
Phase / Type	Secondary • Academy converter	Secondary • Academy sponsor led	Secondary • Academy converter
Location	Chesterfield Derbyshire S41 8AG	Derby Derbyshire DE1 2LF	Heanor Derbyshire DE75 7RA
Latest Ofsted	1 14 Jul 2024	1 29 Apr 2024	1 14 Sep 2023
Ofsted report	—	—	—
Pupils (roll)	≈ 1,350 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,250 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,400 🔒 Unlock exact pupils
FSM %	15–20% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	25–30% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	30–35% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %
Capacity	1260	1125	1357
Capacity utilisation	Over capacity 🔒 View exact %	Over capacity 🔒 View exact %	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %
Age range	—	—	—
Gender	Mixed	Mixed	Mixed
Admissions policy	Non-selective	Non-selective	Non-selective
Trust / Local authority	Derbyshire (830)	Landau Forte Charitable Trust	THE SPENCER ACADEMIES TRUST
Website	www.st-maryshigh.derbyshire.sch.uk	www.landau-forte.org.uk	heanorgatespencer.org.uk
Telephone	01246201191	01332204040	01773716396
SEN provision	None reported	None reported	None reported
Profile	View profile	View profile	View profile

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

S41 8AG

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy converter
Location: Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S41 8AG
Ofsted: 1 14 Jul 2024
Pupils: ≈ 1,350 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 15–20% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Derbyshire (830)
Website: www.st-maryshigh.derbyshire.sch.uk
Telephone: 01246201191

Landau Forte College

DE1 2LF

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy sponsor led
Location: Derby
Derbyshire
DE1 2LF
Ofsted: 1 29 Apr 2024
Pupils: ≈ 1,250 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 25–30% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Landau Forte Charitable Trust
Website: www.landau-forte.org.uk
Telephone: 01332204040

Heanor Gate Spencer Academy

DE75 7RA

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy converter
Location: Heanor
Derbyshire
DE75 7RA
Ofsted: 1 14 Sep 2023
Pupils: ≈ 1,400 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 30–35% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: THE SPENCER ACADEMIES TRUST
Website: heanorgatespencer.org.uk
Telephone: 01773716396

Map of compared schools

How are these comparisons built?

We line up public school data side-by-side. Ofsted “headline” judgement is shown with the publication date when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; everyone sees rounded values.

What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded visits (Section 8) check whether the previous graded judgement still stands, but do not replace it. We keep the latest graded judgement as the headline until a new graded inspection is published.

Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, we show approximate pupils and bucketed FSM% to free users. Upgrade to AllSchools Pro to unlock precise figures and exports.

How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then check whether it aligns with your child’s needs. Look at distance and travel, typical class sizes (roll vs capacity), and the school’s admissions policy. Speak to the school, arrange a visit, and ask about pastoral support and enrichment.

What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; scan capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and review trust/local authority for governance. If available, read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding detail.