What did Ofsted judge Highfields School's ungraded inspection to be?

Ofsted judged Highfields School's ungraded inspection as Standards maintained at its inspection in January 2025 (no grade issued), on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend Highfields School?

Highfields School has 1,298 pupils on roll.

What ages does Highfields School take?

Highfields School admits pupils aged 11 to 18.

Where is Highfields School located?

Highfields School is located in Matlock, DE4 5NA, Derbyshire.

How do I apply to Highfields School?

Highfields School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.

How are Year 7 places decided at Highfields School?

When Highfields School has more applications than places for 2025-26, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — A current 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements, or special guardianship order including those who appear [to the admission authority] to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions; 2. Children in normal area with siblings attending — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission; 3. Children in normal area — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission, and 3 further criteria. 203 places were offered at this entry point for 2025-26. Tie-break: Random allocation will be used. If a child is offered a place as a result of random allocation yet also has a sibling of the same age seeking a place and residing at the same address, the sibling will also be offered a place. When in the case of criteria 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, choices have to be made between children satisfying the same criteria, those children living nearest to the school (measured by straight line distance) will be given preference.

What is the largest ethnic background at Highfields School?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 92.1% of pupils at Highfields School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Highfields School: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

School AtlasDerbyshire

Derbyshire

School AtlasDerbyshire

Derbyshire

How places are decided at Highfields School

When there are more applications than places for 2025-26 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after and previously looked after children — A current 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements, or special guardianship order including those who appear [to the admission authority] to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions.
2Children in normal area with siblings attending — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission
3Children in normal area — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission
4Children outside normal area with siblings attending — Children not living in the normal area served by the school but who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission
5Voluntary controlled church schools - religious grounds — In the case of voluntary controlled church schools, children whose parents request a place on religious grounds
6Other children — Other children whose parents have requested a place

If two applications tie: Random allocation will be used. If a child is offered a place as a result of random allocation yet also has a sibling of the same age seeking a place and residing at the same address, the sibling will also be offered a place. When in the case of criteria 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, choices have to be made between children satisfying the same criteria, those children living nearest to the school (measured by straight line distance) will be given preference.

Children with a statement of special educational need or education, health and care plan (EHCP) that names Highfields School will be admitted first, before oversubscription criteria are applied. School is 11-18 comprehensive. Sixth form admission number is 125 with separate academic entry requirements and oversubscription criteria. Entry to sixth form requires average Grade 4 across all GCSEs (mean average). Waiting list maintained until 31 December in year of admission for Year 7 entry.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

Highfields School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Highfields School's ungraded inspection to be?: Ofsted judged Highfields School's ungraded inspection as Standards maintained at its inspection in January 2025 (no grade issued), on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Highfields School?: Highfields School has 1,298 pupils on roll.
What ages does Highfields School take?: Highfields School admits pupils aged 11 to 18.
Where is Highfields School located?: Highfields School is located in Matlock, DE4 5NA, Derbyshire.
How do I apply to Highfields School?: Highfields School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How are Year 7 places decided at Highfields School?: When Highfields School has more applications than places for 2025-26, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — A current 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements, or special guardianship order including those who appear [to the admission authority] to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions; 2. Children in normal area with siblings attending — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission; 3. Children in normal area — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission, and 3 further criteria. 203 places were offered at this entry point for 2025-26. Tie-break: Random allocation will be used. If a child is offered a place as a result of random allocation yet also has a sibling of the same age seeking a place and residing at the same address, the sibling will also be offered a place. When in the case of criteria 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, choices have to be made between children satisfying the same criteria, those children living nearest to the school (measured by straight line distance) will be given preference.
What is the largest ethnic background at Highfields School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 92.1% of pupils at Highfields School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

League tables in Derbyshire Compare Derbyshire schools Best secondary schools in Derbyshire Sixth forms in Derbyshire Derbyshire hub All Derbyshire schools Schools on map Admissions checker Choosing sixth form guide Catchment areas guide What to ask on a visit

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Children attending these settings are given priority in this school's admissions.

Darley Dale Primary School

Primary

Good

St Giles Church of England Primary and Nursery School

Nursery

Good

Darley Churchtown Church of England Primary School

Primary

Good

South Darley CofE Primary School

Primary

Good

Lea Primary School

Primary

Outstanding

Matlock Bath Holy Trinity CofE Controlled Primary School

Primary

Good

Winster CofE Primary School

Primary

Good

Tansley Primary School

Primary

Good

Elton CofE Primary School

Primary

Castle View Primary School

Primary

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

How places are decided at Highfields School

When there are more applications than places for 2025-26 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after and previously looked after children — A current 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements, or special guardianship order including those who appear [to the admission authority] to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions.
2Children in normal area with siblings attending — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission
3Children in normal area — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission
4Children outside normal area with siblings attending — Children not living in the normal area served by the school but who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission
5Voluntary controlled church schools - religious grounds — In the case of voluntary controlled church schools, children whose parents request a place on religious grounds
6Other children — Other children whose parents have requested a place

Highfields School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Highfields School's ungraded inspection to be?: Ofsted judged Highfields School's ungraded inspection as Standards maintained at its inspection in January 2025 (no grade issued), on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Highfields School?: Highfields School has 1,298 pupils on roll.
What ages does Highfields School take?: Highfields School admits pupils aged 11 to 18.
Where is Highfields School located?: Highfields School is located in Matlock, DE4 5NA, Derbyshire.
How do I apply to Highfields School?: Highfields School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How are Year 7 places decided at Highfields School?: When Highfields School has more applications than places for 2025-26, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — A current 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements, or special guardianship order including those who appear [to the admission authority] to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions; 2. Children in normal area with siblings attending — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission; 3. Children in normal area — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission, and 3 further criteria. 203 places were offered at this entry point for 2025-26. Tie-break: Random allocation will be used. If a child is offered a place as a result of random allocation yet also has a sibling of the same age seeking a place and residing at the same address, the sibling will also be offered a place. When in the case of criteria 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, choices have to be made between children satisfying the same criteria, those children living nearest to the school (measured by straight line distance) will be given preference.
What is the largest ethnic background at Highfields School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 92.1% of pupils at Highfields School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Children attending these settings are given priority in this school's admissions.

Darley Dale Primary School

Primary

Good

St Giles Church of England Primary and Nursery School

Nursery

Good

Darley Churchtown Church of England Primary School

Primary

Good

South Darley CofE Primary School

Primary

Good

Lea Primary School

Primary

Outstanding

Matlock Bath Holy Trinity CofE Controlled Primary School

Primary

Good

Winster CofE Primary School

Primary

Good

Tansley Primary School

Primary

Good

Elton CofE Primary School

Primary

Castle View Primary School

Primary

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

Highfields School

How places are decided at Highfields School

Highfields School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Highfields School

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

How places are decided at Highfields School

Highfields School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries