Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School Review 2026: High-performing KS2 outcomes with strong inclusion

A one-form entry primary with an attached governor-led pre-school, Fairmeadows has the feel of a tight-knit school that still runs at full primary scale. Roll and capacity are closely matched, with 210 places in the main school, and the published roll sitting just under that level.

The academic headline is Key Stage 2: in 2024, 90% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the England average of 62%. A sizeable proportion also reached the higher standard, suggesting the top end is being stretched, not just brought over the line. Alongside that, the website places inclusion at the centre of how the school works, including a high proportion of pupils identified with additional needs.

For families, the main practical question is admissions pressure. Recent application data shows more applicants than places for Reception, so catchment, siblings and the finer points of the oversubscription rules matter.

The school’s own language puts warmth and belonging front and centre, alongside a clear expectation that pupils work hard and take pride in doing things well. That balance comes through most strongly in the way the school talks about fairness, respect, and pupils feeling safe, plus an emphasis on leadership roles for pupils (for example, house captains and school councillors). The result is a culture that aims to be both structured and child-friendly, with a consistent message that pupils are expected to rise to clear routines.

Inclusion is not presented as a bolt-on. The website describes a large proportion of pupils on the SEND register, and outlines a multi-person safeguarding lead team that includes the headteacher as designated safeguarding lead, plus senior staff with safeguarding and SEND responsibilities. That matters for parents because it signals a school where adaptations, emotional support, and family liaison are part of the core operating model, not something triggered only when difficulties escalate.

Nursery-aged children are part of the picture too. The attached pre-school is described as governor-led, which often means it operates closely with the main school’s culture and expectations, even while Early Years practice remains distinct. The key point for families is to treat pre-school and Reception admissions as related but not identical decisions. Nursery routines can smooth transition, but Reception places are still allocated through the formal admissions route.

Fairmeadows’ Key Stage 2 outcomes place it above England averages across the main measures in the latest published dataset.

Expected standard (reading, writing and maths combined)

90% in 2024, compared with an England average of 62%. This is the simplest “are pupils on track?” indicator, and the gap is large.

Higher standard

32.33% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with an England average of 8%. For parents of high prior-attaining pupils, this is an important signal that the school is not just focused on borderline thresholds.

Scaled scores add a second lens. Reading and maths average scaled scores are 107 and 107, with grammar, punctuation and spelling at 108. In practice, that typically aligns with secure foundational skills, particularly when combined with high expected-standard percentages.

On the FindMySchool ranking used for this review (a proprietary ranking based on official data), Fairmeadows is ranked 2,605th in England for primary outcomes, and 3rd locally in Swadlincote. In plain English, that places it above England average, comfortably within the top 25% of primary schools in England. (FindMySchool ranking)

The implication is not that every child will find learning easy. It is that, as a whole-school outcome, a high proportion of pupils are leaving Year 6 with strong basics and good readiness for Year 7.

The curriculum story is framed as intentional and sequenced, with a stated model that revisits learning to support long-term retention, and routine assessment to spot gaps early. That approach tends to suit pupils who benefit from clarity and repetition, and it can be particularly helpful where a cohort includes a wide spread of starting points.

Early reading is treated as a priority. The latest inspection report describes phonics that supports pupils to blend sounds and read unfamiliar words, plus additional intervention for those who need it. The practical implication is that pupils who are slower to pick up decoding should, in principle, be identified quickly and supported before gaps harden into avoidance.

In the wider curriculum, the school uses technology as one method for pupils to record learning and build independence. That is not about replacing writing; it is about giving pupils more than one way to show what they know, which is often helpful where some pupils have barriers around fine motor control, working memory, or anxiety.

As a primary school, the key “destination” question is transition to secondary. For most families, this will be governed by Derbyshire’s coordinated admissions and local catchment patterns, rather than a formal “feeder” promise. The sensible approach is to shortlist likely secondary options early, then use FindMySchool’s Local Hub comparison view to weigh up local outcomes and inspection profiles side by side.

Year 6 preparation is best thought of in two strands:

1. Academic readiness: the KS2 profile suggests many pupils leave with secure literacy and numeracy, which typically supports a confident start in Year 7.

2. Social and organisational readiness: the school places emphasis on routines, leadership roles, and behavioural consistency. That combination usually helps pupils handle the bigger systems of secondary school, including timetables, multiple teachers, and greater independence.

If a family’s secondary plan involves a specific school with tight distance cut-offs, it is worth doing the practical work early. Map-based distance checking is often the difference between “possible” and “unlikely” when allocation is competitive, even at primary-to-secondary transition.

Fairmeadows is oversubscribed on the Reception entry route in the most recently available admissions data, with 60 applications for 30 offers, which equates to 2 applications per place. The main implication is that families should assume competition and read the oversubscription criteria carefully, especially around siblings, distance, and any priority groups. (Admission data is usually coordinated through the local authority even when the admission authority is the governing body, which is typical for foundation schools.)

For the September 2026 intake in Derbyshire, the published local authority timeline indicates that applications open 10 November 2025 and close 15 January 2026. Offer day is 16 April 2026, with appeals deadlines published separately.

Nursery entry is handled separately, with a nursery application form provided on the school website. For families looking at Nursery as a route into Reception, it is still wise to treat Nursery as a valuable settling-in opportunity rather than a guaranteed pipeline.

Practical tip: if you are moving house to target a specific primary, use a distance-checking tool against recent allocation patterns and keep a margin of safety. Distance cut-offs can change year to year with applicant distribution.

A strong pastoral model here is not framed as “soft” support; it is presented as a necessary part of learning well. The website describes a safeguarding lead team spanning senior leadership, SEND, and family liaison, plus systems for recording and acting on concerns.

The atmosphere described in the latest inspection report is calm and purposeful in classrooms, with effective support for pupils who need help managing emotions in and out of class. That combination matters, particularly in a school that describes a high proportion of pupils with additional needs, because it suggests consistent adult practice rather than reactive firefighting.

Ofsted also confirmed that safeguarding arrangements are effective.

Fairmeadows is unusually specific about its after-school offer, which is helpful for parents trying to picture weekly life rather than reading generic claims. Clubs are described as running in blocks, and the examples include activities that mix enrichment, creativity and sport.

Examples listed include Minecraft Club, Cooking, Meditation and Relaxation, Singing for Enjoyment (Choir), and Tea Time Treat for younger children, plus sports options such as football and netball for older year groups. The implication is that provision is not only for the most confident pupils; it includes low-barrier clubs that suit pupils who want something structured and sociable after a long school day.

There are also wider-culture signals. The school highlights external recognition such as Gold Artsmark (2023) and sport and Forest School-related awards. While badges are not the same as day-to-day quality, they do suggest sustained attention to arts, physical activity, and outdoor learning, which can be a meaningful fit factor for many children.

The school day is clearly mapped on the website. Breakfast club begins at 7.30am; the school day runs through to a 3.00pm finish, and after-school club is described as running until 6.00pm.

Wraparound care is therefore a realistic option for working families, with provision spanning nursery-aged children through to Year 6. Charges and booking processes are published by the school; families usually benefit from checking how flexible the sessions are before relying on them week-to-week.

For travel, the school serves the Newhall area of Swadlincote and tends to suit families who can walk, drive, or use local buses. If you are comparing several nearby primaries, use FindMySchool’s map view to assess day-to-day logistics alongside outcomes.

• Oversubscription pressure. Recent figures show 60 applications for 30 offers on the Reception entry route. If you are not in a priority category, it is sensible to plan for alternatives alongside this preference.

• Foundation subjects consistency. The most recent inspection notes inconsistency in how some foundation subjects are implemented, with a need to align delivery more closely to leaders’ expectations. For families who prioritise breadth beyond English and maths, this is a point to explore at open events.

• A high-needs cohort can shape the feel of the school. The school publishes unusually high SEND register figures. Many families will see this as a strength because it often correlates with strong adaptation and pastoral practice; others may want to understand how stretch, pace, and classroom dynamics work across mixed needs.

Fairmeadows Foundation Primary School combines strong KS2 outcomes with a clear commitment to inclusion and wellbeing, which is not always easy to do at the same time. The best fit is likely a child who benefits from routines, clear expectations, and a school culture that talks openly about fairness and support, including for pupils with additional needs. The main challenge is admission competition on the Reception entry route, so families should treat the application as ambitious and keep realistic alternatives in play.