SchoolScoresWest Moors Middle School
Community school · Secondary, ages 9 to 13 · Mixed
Heathfield Way, West Moors, Ferndown, BH22 0DA
01202 872474 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 9 June 2026 , published 7 July 2026.
In short: 2 strong, 4 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. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| 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. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than 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.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
57 pupils in this year group.
49% — 8 points below the Dorset average, and 13 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 49% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 16% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 60% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 61% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 54% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 12 places for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Other difficulties or disabilities; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Multi-sensory impairment; Physical disability; Moderate learning difficulties. 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 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 36.4% | 23.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.8% | 4.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 90% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.2% | 15.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 5.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 20% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 28% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.8% | 24.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 60% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0 | 18.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Lower than 68% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.7% | 6.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.42% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 17% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.0 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 0% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Ferndown. Higher than 28% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0% | 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 Upper School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 2 expected · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ferndown Middle School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018, before conversion), confirmed 2023
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is West Moors Middle School's Ofsted rating?
West Moors Middle School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 9 June 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 2 strong, 4 expected, and safeguarding was met.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 113861.
- 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.