SchoolScoresFerndown Upper School
Community school · Secondary, ages 13 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Cherry Grove, Ferndown, BH22 9EY
01202 871243 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 3 March 2026 , published 5 May 2026.
In short: 5 strong, 2 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
101 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Dorset comparisons use the 3 of its 29 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 26 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 54% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 60% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 64% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 65% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 78% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 56% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 16 parents whose child had been bullied Higher than 71% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56% | – | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 92 parents who had raised a concern Higher than 49% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | – | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 23 parents of children with SEND Higher than 62% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | – | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 51% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82%said yes | 59% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 9%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Dorset figures pool parents at the Dorset schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
249 pupils in this year group.
45% — 5 points above the Dorset average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 45% | 41% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 45.7 | 43.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
225 pupils in this year group.
92% — 2 points below the Dorset average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 61% | 43% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 25% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 92% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
113 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 20% | 19% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 51% | 45% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 33.8 | 32.2 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
24 subjects, 266 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 34 | 3% | 15% | 19% |
| Mathematics | 32 | 13% | 38% | 40% |
| English Language | 31 | 6% | 13% | 13% |
| Physics | 27 | 7% | 11% | 31% |
| Sociology | 15 | 0% | 20% | 20% |
| Biology | 14 | 14% | 14% | 27% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 13 | 15% | 31% | 38% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 11 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 10 | 20% | 30% | 26% |
| Business Studies:Single | 9 | 11% | 11% | 16% |
| Chemistry | 9 | 11% | 33% | 30% |
| Art and Design (Textiles) | 8 | 0% | 25% | 36% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 8 | 13% | 25% | 24% |
| History | 8 | 25% | 38% | 23% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 8 | 13% | 25% | 59% |
| English Literature | 7 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Geography | 7 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Religious Studies, Music, Spanish, Drama and Theatre Studies, French, Italian, Logic / Philosophy.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
119 students in this year group.
82% — 2 points above the Dorset average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 82% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 7% | 7% |
| Work | 36% | 40% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 84% | 82% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
118 students in this year group.
53% — about the same as the Dorset average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 53% | 54% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 17% | 19% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 48% | 53% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. 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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 10 places for speech, language and communication needs. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 38% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.6% | 23.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 4.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 42% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7% | 15.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.8% | 5.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 61% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.3% | 24.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 62% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6 | 18.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 54% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.2% | 6.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded6 pupils | 0.51% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 50% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 47% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 15% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Ferndown Middle School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- West Moors Middle School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 4 expected
- Canford School 2.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 57% A*/A at A level
- St Michael's CofE Middle School, Colehill 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024
- LeAF Studio 2.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ferndown Upper School's Ofsted rating?
Ferndown Upper School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 3 March 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 5 strong, 2 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did Ferndown Upper School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 45% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Ferndown Upper School?
82% of the 101 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Ferndown Upper School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 113854.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.