SchoolScoresFerndown Middle School
Academy · Secondary, ages 9 to 13 · Mixed
Part of SOUTHERN EDUCATION TRUST
Peter Grant Way, Ferndown, BH22 9UP
01202 876556 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 10 January 2018. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 21 June 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
152 pupils in this year group.
45% — 12 points below the Dorset average, and 17 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 45% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 1% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 72% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 55% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 66% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Dorset. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.9% | 23.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 84% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.9% | 4.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.4% | 15.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 5.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 78% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.7% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 77% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6% | 24.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 20.4 | 18.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 48% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.0% | 6.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.16% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 71% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.8 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 87% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 22.9% | 13.8%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Ferndown Upper School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 2 expected · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- West Moors Middle School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 4 expected
- Canford School 2.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 57% A*/A at A level
- LeAF Studio 2.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oak Academy 2.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 14% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Michael's CofE Middle School, Colehill 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ferndown Middle School's Ofsted rating?
Ferndown Middle School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 January 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 21 June 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 148163.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.