SchoolScoresThe Ferrers School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of MERIDIAN TRUST
Queensway, Higham Ferrers, Rushden, NN10 8LF
01933 313411 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 3 March 2026 , published 8 May 2026.
In short: 4 expected, 3 needs attention, 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. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| 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. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
105 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
| Statement | This school | England |
|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Higher than 27% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Higher than 21% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Higher than 17% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 52% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 39 parents whose child had been bullied Higher than 53% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 46% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 98 parents who had raised a concern Higher than 31% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 42 parents of children with SEND Higher than 9% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 31% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Higher than 31% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71%said yes | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 11%). 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. 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
147 pupils in this year group.
27% — 12 points below the North Northamptonshire average, and 19 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 27% | 38% | 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. | 38.9 | 42.9 | 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.
173 pupils in this year group.
93% — 2 points above the North Northamptonshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 39% | 40% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 43% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 7% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 93% |
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
52 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 16% | 20% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 40% | 46% | 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. | 30.0 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
13 subjects, 129 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 33 | 0% | 9% | 19% |
| English Language and Literature | 17 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 11 | 0% | 18% | 14% |
| History | 10 | 10% | 20% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 10 | 0% | 20% | 40% |
| Biology | 8 | 25% | 25% | 27% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 7 | 43% | 57% | 38% |
| Chemistry | 7 | 0% | 43% | 30% |
| English Literature | 7 | 0% | 14% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Physics | 6 | 0% | 0% | 31% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, Spanish.
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.
53 students in this year group.
92% — 2 points above the North Northamptonshire average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 92% | 90% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 23% | 26% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 92% |
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.
54 students in this year group.
56% — 14 points below the North Northamptonshire average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 56% | 70% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 7% | 21% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 65% | 56% |
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 North Northamptonshire. 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 149 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 143 |
| Of those, offered a place | 142 (99%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 338 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
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 | North Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 14th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.1% | 23.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 2.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 21st highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 21st highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.3% | 16.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 18th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 21% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.2% | 8.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 15th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 37% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.1% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 15th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 21% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 33.2 | 30.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 17th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Lower than 15% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.4% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded6 pupils | 0.64% | 0.37% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 78% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 16th highest of 20 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 21 state secondary schools in North Northamptonshire. Higher than 87% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 22.9% | 16.2%* | 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
- Rushden Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- Huxlow Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Ferrers School's Ofsted rating?
The Ferrers 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 4 expected, 3 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did The Ferrers School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 27% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 19 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Ferrers School?
71% of the 105 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend The Ferrers School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Ferrers School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 143 families put The Ferrers School as their first choice for 149 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 142 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 139988.
- 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.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.