ABOUT US
DERBY HIGH
Our friendly, happy Primary School takes girls and boys aged between 3 and 11 whilst our busy, ambitious 11-18 Senior School is now fully coeducational throughout the school, welcoming applications from boys as well as girls since 2019. Our vibrant Sixth Form combines a superb and consistent academic record with outstanding pastoral care and numerous opportunities for a wide variety of extra-curricular activities.
Derby High was awarded the highest possible ‘Excellent’ rating following a full inspection from the Independent Schools Inspectorate in January 2023.
Membership of The Heads’ Conference (HMC), a prestigious coalition of top independent schools in the UK and globally, acknowledges our commitment to academic excellence, innovation in education, and unwavering dedication to delivering an exceptional educational journey for each one of our students.
We welcome applications from boys and girls who are currently completing their GCSE studies in local state and independent schools.
To view our new Pre-School and Primary Prospectus, click here.
To view our new Senior and Sixth Form Prospectus, click here.
We hope that you will be able to find much of the information you need about our school here on our website, however, the best way to find out more about the school is to come and see us! If you would like to arrange to visit and have a tour of the school please contact our Admissions Manager on: 01332 514267 or by email: admissions@derbyhigh.derby.sch.uk.
Here at Derby High we currently educate 660 students between the ages of 3 to 18, in our purpose-built buildings in the leafy suburb of Littleover in Derby. Our Primary School teaches both boys and girls in every year group, whilst our Senior School started welcoming boys into Years 7 and 12 from 2019, and we have now moved to become fully coeducational throughout the school.
Our core focus, embedded in the Derby High ethos and values, on the personal and academic development of our pupils remains at the forefront of everything we do. I would like to highlight here our particular strengths. Our small class sizes enable each child to progress at their own speed, with the support and challenge of exceptionally well qualified teachers. Each lunchtime and after school, we offer a wide variety of clubs and activities and we encourage all our pupils to try something new each term, as well as continue to develop skills in areas they have grown to love. Our many and varied trips and residential experiences ensure each child is encouraged to expand their boundaries within a safe and secure environment. We take pride in our excellent pastoral care throughout all stages in the school, with pupils feeling confident they are listened to and looked after.
Our academic record continues to be particularly strong, with 80% of our 2026 A level grades were awarded A* – B. 54% of all grades were A*, an increase from last year. In GCSEs in 2026, an impressive 63% of all grades were awarded grade 7-9, and 44% of all entries achieved the prestigious grade 8-9.
It is my privilege and joy to lead such a vibrant and successful school over the past eight years and, if you are considering investing in your child’s future, I encourage you to contact us to arrange a personal tour. I will be happy to show you round our campus and answer any questions you may have, and to expand further on my vision and values for Derby High.
I look forward to welcoming you.
Amy Chapman
Head
The address for correspondence with the Governors is:
c/o Clerk to Governors,
Derby High School,
Hillsway,
Littleover,
Derby DE23 3DT
Mrs Chapman attended Nottingham Girls’ High School until the age of 18 when she went on to study Industrial Economics at the University of Nottingham.
After completing a PGCE in Economics and Business Studies at the University of Warwick, Mrs Chapman began her teaching career at Harry Carlton Comprehensive School – now known as East Leake Academy. A move to Arnold School in Blackpool as Head of Department followed and she then went on to become Head of Economics and Business Studies at Cheltenham College, with an additional residential role in a Boarding House.
Mrs Chapman moved to Gordonstoun in Scotland, where she was Housemistress in charge of a large boarding house and also continued to teach Economics and Business Studies.
During her time at Gordonstoun, the school was featured on a Sky One documentary called Gordonstoun: A Different Class which focused on life in a boarding school, filming Mrs Chapman’s day-to-day role over the course of one academic year. In 2016, Mrs Chapman was appointed Deputy Head here at Derby High School, and was promoted to Head in September 2018.
Mrs Chapman has been principal examiner for GCSE Economics and has co-authored two books for GCSE Economics. She also has an MA in Education: Leadership and Management from the Open University. Over the past two years, Mrs Chapman has been an ISI School Inspector, and has recently been selected to be a Lead Inspector.
Anna Jordan joined Derby High School in 2007, with the intention of staying for 2 years – she loves it so much she is still here! Annie was appointed Deputy Head in 2018 and her previous roles included Head of History, Assistant Director of Studies and Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning).
After working for the Magistrates’ Court Service between 1993 and 1996, Annie studied for her BA Hons History degree at the University of Wolverhampton. She worked at the Birmingham Midshires Bank head office before completing her PGCE. Her first role in teaching was at Hagley Park Sports College in Rugeley where she spent two years before moving to Doha College in Qatar.
Anna said: “I’ve loved every minute of my time at Derby High. The teachers are passionate about their subjects and committed to helping students excel. Derby High students are wonderful young people, curious about the world around them and enthusiastic in embracing the diversity of opportunity available here. The challenge of readying young people for life after school is increasingly complex and exciting. All Derby High staff, teachers and support staff in every area, play an invaluable part in building the networks of support and challenge which prepare our students so well for taking their place in the world. I would have loved to attend a school like this and feel enormously privileged to be part of it. How we spend our days is how we spend our lives, and I can’t think of any more exciting or rewarding career than helping to lead this wonderful school into the future.”
In her spare time Anna loves reading, cooking and practising yoga.
Mr Jeremy Harper, Head of Primary, joined Derby High in September 2020 with a wealth of teaching and leadership experience, gained at highly successful independent and state-maintained schools. Before Mr Harper joined Derby High he was Deputy Head at Ranby House School, a position he held since September 2015. Prior to this he was at The Elms as a Year 6 class teacher, Head of Boys’ Games, Key Stage 2 Pastoral Leader and Key Stage 2 Academic Leader, Director of Studies and latterly Acting Deputy Head.
When Mr Harper was interviewed by a panel of Derby High pupils who asked him why he became a teacher, he answered, “I have always had a thirst for learning and an enjoyment of school. In particular I loved primary school and had several inspirational teachers. One in particular lives strong in my memory and I have always tried to emulate him by developing a life-long love of learning in others.”
Mr Harper has a love for sport, which is beneficial for physical and mental well-being for pupils, and so Derby High Primary has incorporated an additional sports afternoon to the weekly timetable. Along with his role as Head of Primary, Mr Harper, who loves teaching PE, IT, Maths and English said, “Whilst I have a love of certain subjects, in primary it is about inspiring every child to embrace a broad range of experiences, to find their passion and to strive to be the best they can be in all that they do!”
Outside of school he relishes every sporting opportunity. When asked about his personal aspirations this year, he expressed his desire to keep working on his game and fitness levels so that he can be selected to play for his local cricket team.
All of our teaching staff are qualified teachers, committed to the ethos of the school and offer extremely high levels of support to our students across the whole age range (3 to 18).
For details of our Primary and Senior School staff members please see below:
We are delighted that Derby High School was awarded a Significant Strength for our ethos and our particular approach to behaviour, which we call “relational practice”. The report notes school leaders make use of a deep understanding of pupils’ individual needs to successfully implement this approach. Our ethos focuses on staff praising pupils and promoting positive behaviour. All staff are well trained in applying the approach consistently, modelling positive behaviour in their interactions.
Only one in ten independent schools nationally receive a Significant Strength. A Significant Strength recognises an area of a school’s provision that goes well beyond the standards, demonstrating a deep understanding of pupils’ development and having a clear and highly beneficial impact on pupils.
The impact of this is felt throughout the school. Pupils treat staff and their peers with very high levels of respect, and the school has a consistently calm, kind and considerate feel. Our approach has been carefully considered, informed by research, and shaped by a deep understanding of our pupils’ needs, as recognised and highlighted by the inspectors. It reflects our shared belief that children flourish best when they are known and valued, that behaviour is most effectively guided through positive relationships, and that kindness, consistency and high expectations can, and do, coexist. Derby High has created a community where pupils feel confident, valued and supported, and where they are able to flourish as individuals.
The report goes on to celebrate many other aspects of school life. Inspectors highlighted that leaders “demonstrate high levels of skill and insight” and that governors “know the school well and maintain effective oversight.”
They described a curriculum that is broad, ambitious, carefully designed and tailored to pupils’ needs, enabling learners to make “good progress throughout the school and score above national averages in public examinations.” Teachers were praised for promoting curiosity and depth of thinking, helping pupils become “articulate, confident and thoughtful,” capable of debating ethical and moral issues with sensitivity.
The full ISI report can be found at the top of this section on our website.
To read our press release from our 2026 GCSE results please click here. To read our press release from our 2026 A level results, please click here.
80% of our 2026 A level grades were awarded A* – B. 54% of all grades were A*- A.
High grades have secured students places on a diverse range of highly competitive courses, with the majority at Russell Group universities including Oxbridge, ranging from medicine, law, architecture, languages, engineering, maths, chemistry and psychology.
In GCSEs in 2026, an impressive 63% of all grades were awarded grade 7-9, and 44% of all entries achieved the prestigious grade 8-9.
Derby High students’ success extends beyond academics. At Derby High School, they have developed critical thinking, resilience, compassion, collaboration, and adaptability – qualities that, alongside their academic achievements, prepare them well for the next stage of their educational journey.
Details of the GCSE and A level results for the previous academic year can be requested by parents and prospective parents by contacting Mr. Adam Maddox, Deputy Head – Academic, via email, admissions@derbyhigh.derby.sch.uk.
The latest editions of High Notes can be found on our news page. We email a Primary High Notes and Senior High Notes, every Friday afternoon during term time.
Annual Year Book, Highlights
Our annual yearbook, Highlights, is full of stories and reports from the last academic year and is written by our students and staff throughout the whole school. Please click on the image below to view the latest edition of Highlights.
The aim of Derby High School Alumni is to help keep former students in touch with each other and to keep them up to date with the School. We have members from all over the world, many of whom are happy to be contacted if any former student needs assistance when travelling and we try regularly to tap into our former students’ ‘professional network’ for careers guidance for our current students.
We love to hear about your successes at university, in apprenticeships and in your careers, so please do keep us informed by contacting us.
Derby High School Alumni membership is open to anyone who has attended or worked in the school.
To sign up to our alumni database and receive invitations to alumni events please click the “Alumni Sign Up” button below.
