Derby Grammar School Review 2026: A Selective Independent School with Historic Roots

In 1995, when Derby School closed after more than eight centuries of continuous operation, a group of parents determined to preserve the classical grammar tradition established Derby Grammar School. The new school inherited more than just history. It became the custodian of a legacy stretching back to 1160, when Bishop Walter Durdant granted the Schola de Derbie to Darley Abbey. Today, Derby Grammar occupies Rykneld Hall, a Grade II listed building constructed in 1780, and commands a position among the top 10% of independent schools in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking). With 55% of GCSE entries earning grades 9-7, the school delivers selective, academically rigorous education to roughly 240 pupils aged 4-18, having become fully co-educational only in 2023.

Derby Grammar School in Littleover, Derby has a strong sense of history, with heritage woven into everyday school life. Rykneld Hall's 18th-century architecture forms the heart of the campus, its cream-coloured stone and period features creating an atmosphere of quiet formality. Yet around it, contemporary teaching blocks in Humanities, Sciences, Design and Technology, and the Arts have been added thoughtfully, avoiding the sense of a museum.

The school's motto, Vita Sine Litteris Mors (Life without learning is death), borrowed from Seneca, sets the intellectual tone. Staff speak of the "sense of community" that characterises the place, and this is evident in how pupils and teachers interact. Small cohorts of around 30-60 pupils per year group mean staff know every child individually. The Anglican ethos is present but not oppressive; twice-weekly worship is expected, and the school calendar observes Christian festivals, but the pastoral approach feels inclusive of the increasingly diverse cohort.

Mr Alistair Bond took over as Head in April 2025, following Paul Logan. Bond, a former Head at The Study School, arrives with experience in independent education. The previous head, Dr Ruth Norris, oversaw a notable improvement in examination results, particularly at GCSE and A-level, during her three-year tenure. The school became part of the Inspired Learning Group (ILG) in March 2024, a multi-academy independent schools group that provides strategic support while preserving the school's operational independence.

The school's Church of England character remains central. The chapel, visible from most courtyards, hosts services that sixth formers and some lower school pupils attend. However, the school is transparent about its values. The school's ethos is expressed as "Excellence, Encouragement and Enrichment," and pupils describe an environment where curiosity is valued alongside academic performance.

GCSE Performance

Derby Grammar School ranks 352nd for GCSE results, placing it in the top 10% of schools in England and 3rd locally in Derby (FindMySchool ranking). This positioning reflects genuine academic strength.

In 2024, 55% of GCSE grades achieved 9-7 (the highest bands), compared to the England average of 54%. The figure represents solid performance, in line with the England average. At the upper end, 33% secured grades 9-8, well above the typical spread. These results confirm that the school's selective entry process translates into strong examination outcomes.

The school does not publish Attainment 8 or Progress 8 scores, which are compulsory metrics for state schools but optional for independents. This limits direct comparison with state secondaries, though the grade-distribution data suggests pupils arrive with strong foundational knowledge and leave with competitive qualifications.

A-Level Performance

At A-level, Derby Grammar ranks 837th in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle 35% of sixth form providers. The ranking reflects more modest performance than at GCSE, a pattern common in selective day schools where not all GCSE students progress to sixth form.

In 2024, 50% of A-level grades achieved A*-B, against an England average of 47%. This represents slight outperformance. At the highest grades, 16% achieved A*, and a further 9% secured A. These figures suggest the sixth form caters well for capable students, with around half reaching the highest two grades. The school offers 25+ A-level subjects, including Latin, Classics, and economics, providing breadth alongside traditional academics.

The curriculum follows the traditional English model: GCSEs in Years 10-11, A-levels in Years 12-13. Subjects taught span English, Latin, French, German, Spanish, Classics, Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, History, Ancient History, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies, Art, Music, Design Technology, and Economics. The breadth is notable, particularly the inclusion of Classical languages alongside modern ones.

Teaching is described by inspectors as characterised by high expectations. The 2022 ISI inspection found that pupils' attitudes towards learning are "strong and often excellent," with pupils of all abilities showing "great perseverance and desire to succeed." Teachers have clear subject knowledge and pupils engage willingly with demanding material.

In the primary phase, the school deliberately resists excessive testing pressure. Year 6 pupils are not entered into National Assessment Tests (SATs), allowing focus on breadth of learning. Weekly timetabled music lessons run throughout primary, and in Years 4 and 5, every pupil learns an instrument through enrichment activities delivered by Hot House Music, a specialist music provider. This embedded approach to music tuition sets the school apart from many peers.

The school has introduced a "Bridging Curriculum" to prepare pupils for secondary transition and what comes after, as well as specialist academic pathways through an "Omnium Group of Scholars" programme for those needing greater intellectual challenge. An enhanced School Council gives pupils voice in school decisions. These initiatives suggest responsive, pupil-centred pedagogy beneath the traditional academic shell.

University Destinations

In 2024, 67% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with 4% entering further education and 4% beginning apprenticeships. The university progression figure is healthy and reflects the school's academic positioning, though it is worth noting that not all leavers pursue higher education immediately.

The school does not publish detailed breakdown of Russell Group destinations on its website, nor does it routinely report Oxbridge acceptances. Recent figures show only 3 applications to Oxbridge in the recent cohort with no acceptances. This modest figure contrasts with the strong GCSE results and suggests that while the school produces capable students, it is not a traditional Oxbridge pipeline school. This is realistic positioning for an independent day school outside major metropolitan centres.

Former pupils of Derby School (the predecessor institution) achieved notable success, including John Cotton, a principal Puritan figure and founder of Boston, and John Flamsteed, the Astronomer Royal. The new school has not yet built a comparable profile, but is still establishing its reputation.

Derby Grammar School commits significant resource to co-curricular life, and the breadth of opportunity stands out, particularly in music, drama, and STEM.

Music: A Defining Strength

Music is woven throughout school life. The school hosts a School Choir, School Orchestra, and smaller ensembles including specialist jazz and brass groups. Hot House Music, an award-winning youth music provider based in the East Midlands, is a formal partner, and many pupils are Hot House band members who rehearse on campus and perform in the school's 300-seat main hall.

Instrumental tuition is available for guitar, piano, keyboard, woodwind, strings, brass, drums, and vocals, with qualified peripatetic teachers. Throughout the academic year, live concerts and performances provide platforms for pupils to showcase talent. The school has strong links with Derby High School and the Derby Music Service, creating a local music ecosystem. LAMDA-approved drama lessons complement the musical offering.

Drama: Professional and Accessible

School dramatic productions happen twice yearly (Christmas and summer). All primary pupils take part in these productions, embedding performance experience early. Secondary and sixth form pupils have access to whole-school productions, LAMDA qualifications, and backstage/technical roles. Specialist peripatetic drama teachers offer private lessons, and the main school hall, linked to the old Rykneld quadrangle, contains a stage and an organ, providing professional performance space.

Sports: Breadth and Facility

The main sports offered are cricket, hockey, and rugby union, with additional provision in athletics, cross country, swimming, squash, basketball, and badminton. In 2017, the school opened the Rykneld Sports Centre, a dedicated facility located a short distance from the main site, which allows the school to provide modern sports infrastructure without cluttering the historic campus.

The woodland and grassland areas surrounding Rykneld Hall are designated as Wildlife Site 38 under the City of Derby's Local Plan, and are safeguarded as "considered irreplaceable" natural habitat. This green setting supports outdoor education and Forest School activities (accredited), including crafting and cooking. The grounds provide both academic and recreational benefit.

STEM and Technology

Formula 24 is a student-led automotive racing programme where pupils design, build, and race electric and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. This project-based learning bridges engineering, physics, and teamwork. The school is described as "pioneering an advanced engineering programme with a focus on automobile racing," positioning it distinctly in a market where STEM education often emphasises software over hardware.

Coding Club and various STEM societies (Code Club, Science Club, Psychology Club) cater to academic interests. Pupils can develop ICT and computing skills alongside traditional science disciplines.

Service & Character

The Duke of Edinburgh Award runs throughout the school, with Bronze, Silver, and Gold available. A Combined Cadet Force operates, preparing pupils for military service pathways. The school actively supports charities, raising money annually for YMCA Derbyshire and Gedeli B School in Tanzania. Sixth form students travel annually to Tanzania to teach and maintain classrooms, creating genuine global engagement beyond fundraising.

Named Clubs and Activities

Lunchtime clubs foster friendships and shared interests. Named activities include Chess Club, Archery Club, Art & Craft Club, a Bank Club (financial literacy), Film Club, Debating Club, Magic Club, a cappella groups, and Mindfulness Club. This variety ensures pupils can pursue niche passions. An enhanced School Council gives pupils formal voice in school governance.

The school runs "Free Writing Friday," a initiative where primary pupils write for pleasure without fear of grammar-based marking. This practice, initiated by Cressida Cowell (author of How to Train Your Dragon), seeks to nurture love of writing alongside technical skill. House poetry competitions give pupils platforms for public speaking.

Derby Grammar School charges fees ranging from £3,029 to £5,468 per term (approximately £9,000-£16,500 per year) depending on year group. Fees are lower in early primary and increase towards secondary and sixth form. A 3% discount is offered for payment of the annual fee upfront by 31 August. A late payment surcharge of 3% per month applies to overdue fees, reflecting firm financial administration.

Scholarships offer 10-25% reduction for achievers in academic, music, art, drama, and sport disciplines. Bursaries are means-tested and provide assistance ranging from 10% to 50% of fees. Some pupils receive both scholarships and bursaries (capped at 50% combined). Families encountering financial difficulty after acceptance may apply for temporary bursarial support, though this is available only as funds allow and cannot be guaranteed.

The fees place Derby Grammar in the mid-to-upper tier of independent schools in England, reflecting its selective positioning and resource-intensive delivery (small classes, specialist teachers, facilities investment).

Derby Grammar School is academically selective. Entry at Year 7 requires success in the school's own entrance examination, which tests English comprehension, Mathematics, and English writing. Entrance at Year 12 (sixth form) follows GCSE performance, typically expecting strong grades 9-7 at GCSE (or grades A*-B under the previous system) including English and Maths.

Scholarships are available for academic achievement and talent in music, art, drama, and sport, typically offering 10% discount on fees. Bursaries (means-tested financial aid) are available for families meeting income thresholds, ranging from 10% to 50% of fees. The combination of scholarship and bursary cannot exceed 50%. This financial support mechanism, while not extensive, does signal commitment to broadening access beyond fee-paying families.

The school began co-education in the sixth form in 2007, extending to primary and secondary in 2023. This relatively recent shift reflects changing parental demand and the school's responsiveness to it.

The ISI inspection in September 2022 found that "the quality of pupils' personal development is Good." Pupils showed strong communication skills, expressing thoughts with clarity and listening with attentiveness. Staff are reported as "committed to promoting the well-being and ensuring excellent all round intellectual development of all our pupils."

The school's small size (240 pupils) enables personalised pastoral support. Each pupil has a form tutor overseeing their wellbeing and progress. House system structures (where pupils are assigned to named houses) create smaller sub-communities within the year group. The inspection noted the "individualised pastoral support for each pupil" and the "nurturing of a culture of academic endeavour" as defining features.

The school operates holiday club provision, recognising the needs of working families. Specific information about wrap-around care (breakfast and after-school) is not detailed on publicly available sources, so families should contact the school directly for current arrangements.

School day: Start and finish times vary by phase. The main school operates 8:50am-3:20pm (or similar; precise times should be confirmed with the school). The site is located at Rykneld Road, Littleover, Derby, less than two miles from the A38, providing convenient access from surrounding areas. Bus routes serve the school; details are available on the school website.

Contact the school directly for enquiries.

Recent transition to full co-education. The school became fully co-education only in 2023, ending a legacy of boys-only secondary education stretching back to 1160. While girls are now accepted across all year groups, the school is still embedding co-educational culture. Families should consider whether they value this fresh start or prefer an established co-ed community.

Limited Oxbridge pipeline. With only 3 Oxbridge applications and no acceptances in the recent cohort, the school is not a traditional pathway to Oxford or Cambridge. Families with specifically Oxbridge-focused ambitions may wish to consider schools with stronger historical Oxbridge links or sixth form colleges in major university cities.

Selective entry. Entrance examinations are competitive. The school requires demonstrated academic ability; this is not a school for pupils who thrive without academic pressure. Entry test preparation is left to families, and local tutoring markets reflect the competitive nature of admission.

Financial commitment. Fees of £9,000-£16,500 per year represent a significant family investment, though bursaries do provide access for capable pupils from lower-income backgrounds. Families should budget for additional costs including uniform, music lessons (if taken), educational trips, and examination fees.

Derby Grammar School delivers what it promises: selective, academically rigorous education in a school that honours classical grammar tradition while embracing contemporary pedagogy. GCSE results place it in the top 10% in England, and the breadth of co-curricular opportunity, from Formula 24 engineering to Gedeli B School partnerships, suggests genuine commitment to educating the whole person.

The school is best suited to academically able pupils and families valuing traditional pastoral structures, Anglican ethos, and selective peer groups. The small size creates genuine community but limits anonymity. The transition to full co-education is recent enough that families should visit and speak to current pupils and families to gauge the integration.

For independent-school families in the East Midlands seeking a selective day school with strong academic results, accessible fees (relative to alternatives), and an enriching co-curricular programme rooted in classical education, Derby Grammar School merits serious consideration.