Moving to Derbyshire

[Elz58]

We’re relocating to Derbyshire to be closer to both sets of grandparents. DH and I are originally from around Derby, but not lived there for 15 years and a lot has changed. We have two boys in infants.

Can anyone recommend nice towns, suburbs or large villages with decent amenities, and a good primary and secondary school? We both work from home so pretty flexible on location, and we have a healthy budget to buy.

We’re considering Ashbourne, Duffield and Little Eaton, so QEGS and Ecclesbourne (although I’ve seen Ecclesbourne’s latest Ofsted…) But also want to know more about Wirksworth and Belper. Also total curve ball is West Bridgford in Nottingham, but I don’t know that area as well.

Hi OP I live in this area. Yes Ecclesbourne’s latest Ofsted is not good; the problems relate to safeguarding and there have certainly been some issues. However, overall, the school is well thought-of and will offer a very good education with supportive parents and better behaviour than you might see elsewhere, as well as some excellent teaching. If you can afford Duffield and want to live in a village, then that is a good shout. Buses to Derby city are frequent. Primaries are good but be aware that Meadows primary has had to relocate to Matlock for the rest of the year bc of flooding (not sure of your timescale).

If you prefer living in the city with the amenities it offers to you and your DC as they grow older, then Littleover CS is a great secondary and a nice area to live.

QEGS is a pretty well-rated school but Ashbourne is a bit of a long way out of things – nice town, no amenities and a long way for your future teens to travel to a city or big town. Same is true of Wirksworth tho I like Wirksworth itself as a pretty good high street with independent shops. But while many rate Anthony Gell as a nurturing school, it wouldn’t be my choice as it is only 850 students which I would have concerns about wrt GCSE options, school sports teams, music offering etc.

Belper is a lovely town and handy for Derby, but the school is not the best. I know ppl who have gone elsewhere (Denby) or just pulled their DC out. That’s kind of hearsay from me tho, no direct experience.

Primary schools in general here are pretty decent for the most part IME and O.

West Bridgford is a lovely area with a great secondary school; it’s a long way from Derby and Derbyshire tho. Also it costs £££ to live in catchment for the best schools.

Thank you for this! Really really helpful. I’d forgotten that areas of Duffield flood, that’s interesting about Meadows.

Are the primaries local to Duffield / Little Eaton difficult to get into? We’re hoping to move next year, and our kids would be in year applicants.

I think we’re leaning towards Duffield / Little Eaton, but still interested to hear about Wirksworth/Anthony Gell and Ashbourne/QEGS if anyone has further info!

AFAIK Meadows has never flooded before tbf. It was exceptional (hopefully).

I presume both Duffield primaries will be full but places must come up as ppl move. Little Eaton not so sure. There’s also Kirk Langley which feeds to Duffers. The village itself is fav tho for future transport for teens (can you tell I grew up rurally?!)

I guess with Anthony G it’s whether you want a small secondary; QEGS is good but again, more rural. Is access to the city useful? Where are the Derbyshire family members?

Ecclesbourne has just moved to “good” in its latest inspection. Personally I’d choose to live in Duffield over Littleover, can’t see the appeal apart from the school.

Thanks for flagging this, I didn’t realise they’d been inspected again

One set of grandparents are in the city, and the other rural about 15 mins out of Ashbourne. It’d be great to find somewhere within 30mins of both, but obviously that’s a pretty big search area!

I think we need to make our minds up about being close to Derby / transport links etc.

I think my heart is with Ashbourne and my head with Duffield!

Yes agree @JWR that's one I had missed as well. TBH I don;t feel the school's standing for the majority ever changed.

I agree that Duffield is better than Littleover if you want a village location for sure; but be aware that your money will buy considerably less in Duffield itself.

£400k will buy a nice four-bed modern detached in Littleover, but a similar house in Duffield will be at least £450k. So I guess that is a factor for some.

Ah you might want to scrap Littleover then if you need to get to Ashbourne and beyond. Duffield or Little Eaton yy both good. Or you could go city and live in Darley Abbey - still in Ecc catchment. Or Kirk Langley - halfway to Ashbourne and also in Ecc catchment.