SchoolScoresFerryhill School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of EDEN LEARNING TRUST
Merrington Road, Ferryhill, DL17 8RW
01740 651554 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 November 2014. 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 |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 16 September 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
125 pupils in this year group.
25% — 17 points below the County Durham average, and 21 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 25% | 42% | 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. | 41.5 | 44.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.2 | 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.
134 pupils in this year group.
83% — 6 points below the County Durham average, and 9 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 83% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 18% | 30% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 53% | 46% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 6% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 83% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 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 County Durham. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 156 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 134 |
| Of those, offered a place | 134 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 243 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | County Durham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 7th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 85% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 46.8% | 32.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 14th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.6% | 2.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 91% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.3% | 13.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 26th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.6% | 4.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 20th lowest of 30 state secondary schools in County Durham. Lower than 32% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.4% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 23rd lowest of 30 state secondary schools in County Durham. Lower than 19% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 30.3% | 25.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 28th lowest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Lower than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 35.4 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 29th lowest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Lower than 13% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.2% | 7.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded6 pupils | 0.82% | 0.46% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 9th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 56% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 20th highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 47% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 22nd highest of 31 state secondary schools in County Durham. Higher than 15% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 10.4%* | 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
- Whitworth Park Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ferryhill School's Ofsted rating?
Ferryhill School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 November 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 16 September 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Ferryhill School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 25% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 21 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Ferryhill School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 134 families put Ferryhill School as their first choice for 156 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 134 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 145253.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.