The Derby High School Review 2026: STEAM Excellence in Bury

From the bustling Radcliffe Road in Bury, The Derby High School presents a modern, purposeful face to the world, but its roots run deep in the local community. This is a school in the ascendant. While officially rated Good, the latest Ofsted visit in June 2023 suggested that a full inspection might well result in an Outstanding judgement; a distinction that leaders and staff are clearly pursuing with vigour.

Serving a diverse catchment in Redvales, the school caters for students aged 11 to 16. It is a comprehensive in the truest sense, welcoming students of all abilities and backgrounds, yet the atmosphere is anything but standard. There is a palpable sense of ambition here, driven by a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) focus that permeates the curriculum.

With 900 students, it is smaller than many of the mega-academies springing up across the North West. This scale allows for a tight-knit culture where the "7 Rs"; the school's code of conduct including Ready, Respectful, and Safe; are not just posters on a wall but the language of daily interaction. Demand is high; with nearly three applications for every place in 2024, The Derby has quietly become one of the most sought-after state schools in the borough.

The first thing visitors notice is the "Derby warmth." Despite the architectural mix; where the original 1950s grammar school blocks meet modern additions like the "Create" building; the environment feels cohesive and cared for. Corridors are orderly, not silent; there is a hum of purposeful activity rather than the chaotic roar often associated with lesson changeovers.

Ms Helen Hubert, Headteacher since 2016, has been the architect of the school's current trajectory. Her leadership is described by parents as steady and aspirational, steering the school through a period of significant improvement. Under her tenure, the focus has shifted from simply getting grades to building character. The "Derby Diploma" incentivises this, rewarding students for demonstrating resilience and community spirit alongside academic effort.

The school's motto, Industria, Constantia, Sapientia (Diligence, Determination, Wisdom), sits alongside the modern tagline "Inspired to make a difference." This outward-looking philosophy is evident. Students are not just prepped for exams; they are encouraged to see themselves as citizens of Bury and beyond. The demographics reflect the vibrant mix of the local area, and the school turns this diversity into a strength, fostering a culture of mutual respect that inspectors have repeatedly praised.

Facilities have seen steady investment. The STEAM focus is supported by well-equipped science laboratories and design technology workshops in the "Create" block that are bustling long after the bell rings. The "Inspire" studio hosts drama and dance, while the "ExITe" block focuses on ICT and digital skills. While it lacks the sprawling acreage of a semi-rural school, the campus is used cleverly, with social spaces designed to encourage interaction rather than segregation.

The Derby High School delivers a performance that punches above its weight in terms of student progress. In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.35. This metric is crucial for parents to understand: it means that, on average, students here achieve over a third of a grade higher across all subjects than students of similar starting abilities nationally.

In terms of raw attainment, the 2024 cohort achieved an Attainment 8 score of 45.7. While this aligns closely with the England average of 46.2, the context is important. The high progress score indicates that the school is exceptionally good at adding value, taking students further than expected regardless of their entry point.

Ranked 2407th in England and 8th in Bury for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school's performance sits in the middle 35% of schools in England, reflecting solid performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England. However, this ranking masks the "value-added" strength. For families, the key takeaway is that a child attending The Derby is statistically likely to outperform their peers at other schools with similar prior attainment.

The percentage of students achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Maths; the "strong pass" benchmark; is a key focus area. The curriculum is broad, but there is a clear rigour in the core subjects, with the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) average point score sitting at 3.87.

The curriculum at The Derby is described by leaders as "The RESILIENCE Curriculum," designed to be broad, balanced, and ambitious. It follows a three-year Key Stage 3, resisting the trend to narrow choices too early. This ensures students have a solid grounding in history, geography, languages, and the arts before selecting their GCSE options in Year 9.

Teaching is characterised by consistency. The "Derby Way" of teaching ensures that lessons follow a clear structure: retrieval practice to cement prior knowledge, clear exposition of new material, and dedicated time for independent practice. This reduces cognitive load and helps students feel secure in their learning. Inspectors in 2023 noted that teachers have strong subject knowledge and present information clearly, checking understanding systematically before moving on.

A distinctive feature is the emphasis on STEAM. This isn't just about having good science labs; it's about an interdisciplinary approach that encourages students to make connections between subjects. You might find Art students using mathematical principles in their designs, or Science lessons incorporating ethical debates more common in Humanities. This approach aims to produce creative problem-solvers, not just test-takers.

As an 11-16 school, The Derby says goodbye to its students after GCSEs. This transition is managed with military precision. The school has strong links with local post-16 providers, ensuring students find the right pathway, whether A-levels, T-levels, or apprenticeships.

The majority of students progress to Holy Cross College and Bury College, both highly regarded local institutions. A smaller but significant number head to Loreto College in Manchester or take up apprenticeships with local engineering and technology firms; a direct payoff of the school's STEAM focus.

The careers programme is robust, beginning in Year 7 rather than being crammed into Year 11. By the time students make their post-16 choices, they have had years of exposure to different industries, university visits, and employer encounters.

Entry into Year 7 is coordinated by Bury Council. The Derby High School is a community school, meaning it follows the local authority's standard admissions criteria.

With 471 applications for just 177 places in the last cycle, the school is significantly oversubscribed. The subscription proportion of 2.66 applications per place makes it one of the more competitive state options in the area.

If oversubscribed, priority is given in the following order:

1. Looked-after children and previously looked-after children.
2. Children with a robust medical or social need (evidence required).
3. Siblings of students currently attending the school.
4. Distance from the school (measured in a straight line).

The catchment area is essentially defined by distance. While it varies annually, living within the Redvales area or immediate vicinity is usually necessary to secure a place on distance criteria. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates, as the cut-off can shrink in years with high sibling numbers.

Pastoral care is structured around year groups, with a Head of Year and a non-teaching Pastoral Manager for each cohort. This dual layer of support ensures that while the Head of Year focuses on academic progress and behaviour, the Pastoral Manager is available throughout the day to deal with immediate wellbeing concerns, from lost kits to friendship fallouts.

The "Derby Diploma" is a clever initiative that incentivises participation and character development. Students earn credits for attendance, punctuality, and embodying the "7 Rs," culminating in graduation ceremonies that are taken surprisingly seriously by the student body. It frames good behaviour not as compliance, but as achievement.

Safeguarding is described as effective and tenacious. Staff are trained to spot the "small signs" of worry, and the school works closely with external agencies when families need extra support. The Inclusion team is particularly strong, providing a haven for students who find the main school environment overwhelming, ensuring that SEN needs are met with dignity and expertise.

The extracurricular offer puts flesh on the bones of the STEAM ambition. The "Derby Enrichment" programme runs after school and includes expected staples alongside more niche offerings.

STEAM Excellence

The STEAM Club is a flagship activity, often involving competitive robotics or engineering challenges. The school was the first in the country to be designated a Science and Arts School, and this legacy continues through partnerships with the Museum of Science and Industry. The Code Club attracts a devoted following of digital natives in the "ExITe" block.

Sport & Arts

Sport is a pillar of school life, with fixtures played regularly against other Bury schools. The football and netball teams are competitive, and the sports hall hosts badminton and basketball clubs that are well-attended. In the arts, the annual school production is a major community event, involving dozens of students not just on stage, but managing lighting, sound, and set design; skills honed in Design Technology lessons.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Parents are expected to fund the uniform, which is strictly enforced, and contributions are requested for trips and enrichment activities. The school provides free bagels for all students at breakfast club, ensuring everyone starts the day ready to learn.

The school day begins with registration at 8:40 am and concludes at 3:00 pm. A breakfast club is available from 8:00 am. The school is located on Radcliffe Road, well-served by local bus routes connecting to Bury Interchange and Radcliffe. Most students live locally and walk or cycle, and there are secure bike sheds on site.

Transition at 16: As an 11-16 school, students must move institutions for Sixth Form. While this offers a fresh start and a wider choice of colleges, families seeking a seamless seven-year run in one building will not find it here.

Oversubscription: The secret is out. With nearly three applicants for every seat, placing The Derby as a lower preference on the Common Application Form is risky. Families outside the immediate catchment area should be realistic about their chances.

Urban setting: The site is compact and urban. While facilities are good, it lacks the rolling playing fields of some shire schools. Sports fixtures often require travel or clever use of the on-site multi-use games area (MUGA).

Strict expectations: The "7 Rs" and uniform policy are strictly enforced. This structure supports learning brilliantly, but it requires buy-in from families. Parents who prefer a more relaxed approach to discipline may find the lines here drawn quite firmly.

The Derby High School is a shining example of what a community comprehensive can achieve with strong leadership and clear values. It combines the warmth of a small school with the ambition of a specialist college. The Progress 8 data confirms that teaching here adds real value, making it an academic safe bet. Best suited to families in the Redvales and Bury area who value a structured, STEAM-focused education and want a school that will know their child by name, not just by number. The main challenge is securing a place.