There is evidence of a Free School association in Denby from 1854, although the first school in Denby dates from 1730 after
Jane Massie left monies for a school in her 1728 will. In 1838 a school in the village had 25 children receiving a free education in reading and writing with a separate teacher for the girls who were taught to sew and knit. The school itself can trace its history in the village to a
Smithy Houses School that was founded in 1894 with a staff of two. The school was at
Smithy Houses which had previously been the offices of
William Drury Holden who inherited
Locko Park. In 1975 there was a plan to close the school but this was opposed by the local community. The school at that time was called
Denby John Flamsteed School. After six years the school was relaunched as an eleven to sixteen community school under its present name. John Flamsteed now specializes in subjects Maths, Computing and Science. A new Drama and Music block was opened in September 2011. The
Old School (Internally Known as the "Ryknield Rooms" by Staff but colloquially as Old School by the Student Body) area now only serves humanities and Languages. Previously a
community school administered by
Derbyshire County Council, John Flamsteed Community School converted to
academy status in April 2016. However the school continues to coordinate with Derbyshire County Council for admissions. == References ==