Duffield, Derbyshire. 2x Primary Schools?

[RelocatingD]

Have name changed as don't want people in RL to know we may be moving.
If we do have decided on location.
There are two primary schools in the location; William Gilbert and Duffield Meadows. Ofsted reports very good. Any experience of the actual schools please? (niche area I know).
One only appears to have playing fields.
The admission criteria reads as decision essentially being distance from the school, is this correct?
Do the schools have plenty of places (being a small town) or oversubscribed?
Finally, are the school applications through the LA or schools direct?

Hi, have sent you message.

Two and a half years later, asking the same question! Does William Gilbert have no sports fields at all? All I can see is a tarmac playground. If no fields, is there somewhere they go to do sport?

Any other thoughts on W Gilbert versus Meadows? Thanks

No sports field for William gilbert, but meadows do have playing fields. I think both school pretty full at the moment, so might be best to call and find out which has spaces rather than setting your heart on one over the other.

And have sent you a message, 2 yrs later!

Hi, we are moving to Duffield next year to be near family. Any current experience for these two schools? Our twins will be entering reception next year. TIA.

One school always fills its places first, William Gilbert. It has no playing fields but has the local tennis club come to coach, a hockey club etc. Uses local areas for Forest School.

Both are great.

Main difference is that WG has a one class intake, whereas Meadows has a 45 maximum intake so splits classes. Currently, once leave year two they split the year group into 3 classes and mix the year 3&4’s. In a pandemic it means they teach 3/4 together for everything. Some like that, some do not. Also they split the year group with no preference for friendships. No requests allowed. At WG the year group stays as one class.

WG is always full, so if not in catchment for time of application there will not be one or two spare spaces.

Year 5*6’s also taught in 3 mixed classes.