History
The Old Vicarage School was established in 1933 as an independent, fee paying day school for boys and girls aged 3 to 11 years. Located in the World Heritage Site of Darley Abbey, the building is steeped in local history with connections to the Evans and Strutt families, both prominent in the Belper and Derby areas and at the Mills on the river in the centre of Darley Abbey. Prior to 1933 the beautiful, late Victorian building was used as the Vicarage for St Matthew’s Church. The School celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2008 with many events and a very special luncheon for some of the original pupils from the 1930's and 1940's.
On entering the school from Church Lane one is struck immediately by the safe seclusion of the environment. The many varied trees and shrubs provide an enviable rural beauty. The school grounds are extremely well tended and extensive enough to afford all children opportunities for a full range of organised games and general recreational activities. Tennis and Netball are played on the court adjacent to the open lawns. The former Coach House is now used as a further resource for nursery activities, assemblies, drama, gymnastics, Choir and Orchestra ensembles and a plethora of engaging after school activities such as cheerleading, ballet, karate, speech and drama amongst others.