Coton-in-the-Elms Cof E Primary School Review 2026: A values-led village primary with strong Key Stage 2 outcomes

A small Church of England primary in Coton-in-the-Elms, this school wears its ethos openly and uses it to shape daily routines rather than leaving it as branding. The values framework is summed up as PEACE, Perseverance, Excellence, Awe and Wonder, Compassion and Enjoyment, and it shows up in everything from behaviour expectations to celebration systems.

The latest Ofsted inspection (20 to 21 June 2023) judged the school Good overall, with Personal Development graded Outstanding.

Academically, the most recent published Key Stage 2 figures are a clear strength, with 74.33% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 37% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and maths, versus an England average of 8%. These results sit above England average, placing the school comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.

For families, the headline is simple. This is a state school with no tuition fees, and it combines a close-knit feel with outcomes that suggest pupils are taught to read, write and calculate confidently, then pushed further if they are ready.

This is a school that talks plainly about character, and then builds practical systems around it. Pupils are encouraged to make good choices, and rewards are used as motivation in a way that feels age-appropriate. The language of recognition is clear and consistent, including the Golden Dove award for pupils who live out the school’s values, and even small rituals, such as pupils aiming to earn hot chocolate with the headteacher.

Relationships are repeatedly described as warm and respectful in formal external evidence, and the detail matters here. Adults and pupils are expected to treat one another with good manners, pupils are kind to each other, and staff are described as going beyond the basics so pupils are safe, happy, and ready to learn. That combination, high expectations with a visibly caring culture, is often what parents mean when they say a school “feels settled”.

The Christian distinctiveness is not confined to one slot in the timetable. Collective worship is part of the daily rhythm, and the school positions its values in explicitly Christian terms. A church school inspection in June 2024 also links the culture to wellbeing, describing positive mental health as a priority and pointing to initiatives such as Wellbeing Wednesday walks, as well as calm spaces and staff support structures. Families who want a Church of England setting that is visible, rather than symbolic, are likely to appreciate the clarity.

Leadership has also been in a period of change. Earlier official reports record a new senior leadership team put in place from September 2022, and the current headteacher is Karen Burton, who was in post by June 2025. For parents, that is worth understanding as context. The direction of travel described in recent evidence is towards raised expectations and a tightened curriculum, with a strong focus on pupils’ personal development.

The school’s academic outcomes indicate a structured approach to the basics, with genuine stretch for higher attainers.

In the most recent published Key Stage 2 results:

• 74.33% met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an England average of 62%.

• 37% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an England average of 8%.

• Scaled scores were 108 in reading, 106 in maths, and 108 in grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Performance sits above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.

Rankings provide another lens. Ranked 2,989th in England and 4th in Swadlincote for primary outcomes, this reflects a strong local and national position (FindMySchool rankings based on official data).

For parents comparing options, this kind of profile often means two things. First, pupils are likely to be well prepared for a typical Key Stage 3 curriculum at secondary school. Second, pupils who find learning easier are less likely to coast, because the higher-standard outcomes suggest meaningful challenge is built into the offer. Families can use the FindMySchool Local Hub Comparison Tool to line these results up against nearby schools, so the differences are easy to see side by side.

The strongest evidence here points to a school that has focused on curriculum coherence, retrieval practice, and consistent approaches, especially in reading.

Curriculum sequencing is described as intentionally planned, with staff supported through training so they can deliver subject content effectively. In geography, for example, pupils learn direction using a pirate map in Year 2, then move to globes and atlases to locate countries by hemisphere in Year 3. That matters because it shows a progression model, not isolated activities.

Retrieval is also part of classroom routine. “Can you still?” tasks are used to check whether pupils remember prior learning, and then identify pupils who need extra support to retain it. For parents, the implication is practical. A school that checks retention frequently tends to spot small misconceptions earlier, before they become bigger barriers in Year 5 and Year 6.

Reading is treated as a priority in several concrete ways. A phonics programme is described as consistent, with extra help for pupils who struggle to remember new sounds, and regular opportunities to develop fluency and comprehension. Text choice is presented as deliberate, aiming to broaden pupils’ understanding of diversity, while a well-resourced library is positioned as part of the reading culture, including pupil librarians who take responsibility for keeping it tidy.

Early Years is present in the school’s current age range, and evidence shows engaging practice, such as pupils writing their own version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and extending it outdoors by building “castles” for the story characters. The main development point flagged in formal evidence is precision, ensuring early years curriculum goals are broken down clearly across every aspect of provision.

As a primary school, the key transition is Year 6 into Year 7. The school’s published transition information focuses strongly on internal transitions between year groups, including a Moving Up day, flexible early-autumn routines for settling in, and parent meetings early in the autumn term to clarify what each year group will learn and what families can do at home.

For secondary transfer, families should expect the usual Derbyshire process and a local pattern. Most pupils typically move on to secondary schools serving South Derbyshire and nearby Burton upon Trent, with choices shaped by transport, family preference, and any faith or specialist priorities. If you are trying to anticipate the practicalities, look for secondary schools that run transition days and induction projects, as pupils coming from smaller primaries often benefit from early familiarity with routines and the site.

If you are relocating, or trying to shortlist primaries with an eye on later schooling, it is worth mapping both stages. The FindMySchool Map Search can help you sanity-check day-to-day travel to primary now, and likely secondary options later, without relying on assumptions.

Admissions for Reception are coordinated through Derbyshire County Council. The school signposts that Reception admissions information is available from the start of November in the year prior to admission, and that open days for a September intake are typically scheduled in the autumn term.

For September 2026 entry, Derbyshire’s published timetable is clear:

• Applications open on 10 November 2025.

• The closing date is midnight on 15 January 2026.

• Offers are issued on 16 April 2026.

• The closing date for submitting an appeal relating to Derbyshire schools is 15 May 2026.

Demand matters, even for smaller schools. The latest available Reception admissions figures show 26 applications for 12 offers, which is 2.17 applications per place, and the school is recorded as oversubscribed on that measure. Competition at this scale can feel unpredictable because a handful of families moving in or out of the village can shift the picture quickly year to year.

Distance cut-offs are not available here, so the best way to manage uncertainty is practical. Use exact home-to-school mapping, understand oversubscription rules, and apply on time. If you are making a housing decision around this school, keep a back-up preference you would be happy with.

Pastoral support is woven into the school’s culture and routines. External evidence emphasises that pupils are well supported and that staff work hard to ensure every pupil is safe, happy and ready to learn. The behaviour system is also framed as fair by pupils, which is often a good indicator that rules are understood and consistently applied.

Wellbeing is treated as something to plan for, not just react to. Evidence from a church school inspection describes wellbeing initiatives such as Wellbeing Wednesday walks, and also points to calm spaces and adjustments to help pupils feel safe, as well as targeted support for pupils who need it. For parents, the implication is that this is likely to suit children who benefit from predictable routines and an emotionally literate environment, including those who feel anxious about learning.

Special educational needs and disabilities are also referenced explicitly in formal evidence. Pupils with SEND are described as identified quickly, supported appropriately, included in school life, and reviewed regularly so provision can be adapted where needed. Families considering the school for a child with additional needs should still ask the practical questions, such as what interventions look like day to day, how staff communicate progress, and how transitions are handled, but the published evidence points in a positive direction.

The strongest co-curricular picture here combines pupil leadership, enrichment experiences, and wraparound activities that are broader than sport alone.

Pupil leadership is organised in ways pupils can understand. The school’s Parliament is led by Year 6 representatives and includes an election process where candidates present a manifesto and the whole school votes for a Prime Minister. That kind of structure gives pupils a real sense of voice, and it also teaches practical citizenship skills, such as persuading an audience, voting, and representing others.

Environmental responsibility is given a formal route too. The Eco Council is described as a pupil group supported by an adult Eco-Coordinator, focused on discussing and implementing change so the school can be more environmentally friendly. That is a good fit for children who like purposeful roles, and for families who value values-led projects that link to real-world issues.

The school also runs enrichment experiences that go beyond day trips. Formal evidence references residential trips for Year 4 and Year 6, and an overnight “space camp” in the school hall for Year 5. These moments often become the glue of primary memories, and they can be particularly valuable for confidence, teamwork, and resilience.

Wraparound provision adds another layer. Before and after-school care is delivered with a third-party provider, Progressive Sports, and the offer is described as more than sport, with a zoned model including an Active Kids Zone, Wellness Zone, Discovery Zone, and Creative Zone. Activities referenced include Lego, arts and crafts, and sports ranging from dodgeball and Nerf Wars to archery and dance. For working families, that breadth can be as important as the core hours, because it reduces the pressure to patch together multiple clubs across the week.

The school day starts at 8:40am and finishes at 3:20pm, with a total school week of 32.5 hours. Gates open at 8:35am for the morning mile, weather dependent, and are locked at 8:50am. Break is 10:15am to 10:30am, and lunch is 12:05pm to 1:05pm. Daily collective worship is scheduled for 2:50pm to 3:10pm.

Wraparound care is available. Breakfast Club runs from 7:30am to the morning school bell, and after-school provision runs from 3:20pm to 5:00pm, or later if required, delivered via Progressive Sports.

Transport-wise, the published information focuses more on routines than on travel routes. In practice, most families will be thinking about walkability within Coton-in-the-Elms and the reliability of the local road network for drop-off. If public transport is important to you, it is sensible to check current bus options into Swadlincote and Burton upon Trent, since timetables can change.

• Competition for Reception places. The latest available data shows 26 applications for 12 offers, which indicates oversubscription. In a small community school, that can swing year to year depending on local demographics, so it is wise to keep a realistic back-up preference.

• A visible Church of England character. Daily collective worship and a strongly articulated Christian values framework are part of the normal school day. Families who prefer a more neutral approach to worship should weigh whether this is the right cultural fit.

• Leadership transition in the recent period. Official evidence describes significant senior leadership change from September 2022, and the current headteacher was in post by June 2025. Any change in leadership can bring adjustments to routines and priorities, and some families will want to understand what has changed and what has stayed consistent.

• Early years direction may be evolving. A governing body consultation in June 2025 proposed extending the lower age range to include nursery provision from autumn 2025. Families interested in nursery should check the current position directly, including session structure and eligibility for funded hours.

A small, values-led primary with academic outcomes that suggest pupils are taught systematically and then challenged to go further. The character is shaped by a clear PEACE values framework, and the day-to-day detail, from pupil leadership roles to reading routines, supports a settled, purposeful culture.

Best suited to families who want a village primary with a clear Church of England identity, strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, and structured pastoral support. The main challenge is admission, because demand can outstrip places in Reception.