New Mills School

Situated in the High Peak on the northwest edge of Derbyshire, New Mills is a small town of fewer than 10,000 residents, surrounded by stunning natural beauty. New Mills offers the charm of a semi-rural lifestyle while benefiting from excellent transport links to Manchester, Stockport, and East Cheshire. Many families choose to settle here, enjoying the balance of countryside living with city accessibility.

New Mills School is a fully inclusive, non-selective local authority secondary school, deeply rooted in its community. Generations of families have attended the school, fostering strong connections with local employers, including the well-known Swizzels factory. Our historic Grade II listed main building, featuring a breathtaking stained-glass domed library, reflects the school’s long-standing presence. Additional buildings, dating from the 1950s to the 1980s, provide a diverse campus that blends tradition with modern education.

We are a smaller-than-average secondary school, but our ambitions are anything but small. Our vision is for New Mills School to be the first-choice secondary school for local families, and we are delighted to be oversubscribed for the first time, with a waiting list for Year 7 places in 2025. This reflects the confidence parents have in our journey of rapid improvement, a transformation now recognised by Ofsted. In our most recent inspection, Ofsted rated us ‘Good’ in all categories, praising our strong leadership, high-quality teaching, and the positive attitudes of our students. Inspectors highlighted that “leaders are ambitious for all pupils” and that “staff have high expectations,” creating a school where students feel “happy, safe, and supported to achieve their best.”

Our mission is simple: every student deserves success. We nurture our students to be responsible, resilient, and ready learners in a safe and caring environment, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive. At New Mills School, every child matters, and our unwavering support and challenge ensure that all students achieve their best, regardless of their starting point.

Ofsted recognised our relentless pursuit of:

• Delivering a rich and engaging curriculum that fosters deep subject knowledge and broad cultural awareness.
• Cultivating a school culture where kindness, empathy, and respect underpin every interaction.
• Providing every student, regardless of background, with the opportunities and support they need to succeed.

Our Core Values:

• Think Big – Inspiring students to set ambitious goals and embrace challenges with curiosity and determination.
• Do the Right Thing – Upholding integrity, fairness, and respect in all we do.
• Team Spirit – Working together to support, celebrate, and uplift one another.

New Mills School is a special place to work, and that is down to the strong relationships between staff and students. Our staff know our students well, balancing support and challenge to raise aspirations and drive success. Many of our staff choose to send their own children here—an endorsement of our commitment to academic and personal development. Students appreciate our well-kept outdoor spaces, boasting breathtaking Peak District views, and our inclusive ethos, which embraces diversity and individuality.

With much-improved student outcomes for the Class of 2024 and a thriving school community, New Mills School is an exciting and rewarding place to be. If you share our passion for education and making a real difference, we would love to hear from you.