State School
#4 in Best Secondary Schools in Dorset
Ferndown Upper School - Ofsted Report, Parent Reviews (2025)
Ferndown Upper School
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Ferndown Upper School
- Secondary
- Ferndown Town BH22 9EY
1 schools in compare list
Ofsted report
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| Effectiveness of leadership and management | Good |
| Quality of teaching, learning and assessment | Good |
| Personal development, behaviour and welfare | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| 16 to 19 study programmes | Good |
Quick insights from ofsted Powered by AI
This insight was generated by AI, based on latest Ofsted report.
Academic Progress: Pupils in all year groups are making rapid progress.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Pupils’ behaviour is delightful; treatment of each other and the site is exemplary.
Qualifications and Training: Staff value highly the effective and personalized training they are given.
Current Educational Practices: Training is well matched to improving classroom practice and pupils’ achievement.
Strengths and Challenges: High levels of challenge found in humanities and arts, but not consistent across all subjects.
Opportunities for Involvement: Offers a range of extra-curricular activities that extend learning well.
Communication: Leaders monitor the progress closely and communicate effectively with parents.
Parent Satisfaction: Parents have expressed positive feedback about pastoral support and student care.
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: The headteacher and leaders handle concerns with rigour and focus on improvements.
Actions for Quality Improvement: Leaders have successfully improved classroom practice and raised pupil achievement.
Managing Bullying and Safety: Incidents of bullying are rare, dealt with quickly and effectively.
Promoting Welfare and Safety: Pupils report feeling very safe and well-supported.
Extracurricular Offerings: Large number of clubs, trips, and visits available.
Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars: Offers a well-structured programme balancing academics and activities.
Outdoor Facilities: School environment is welcoming and conducive to learning.
Preparation for Sixth Form: Learners are well-informed and prepared for their next steps.
Career Counselling Services: Not well established in Years 9 and 10 but high progression rates for Year 11.
Managing and Supporting SEND: Special educational needs are closely monitored, ensuring good progress.
Subjects Offered: Well-planned curriculum meets academic, creative, and practical needs.
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About Us
Ferndown Upper School is a top rated, Secondary, Co-Ed school located in Dorset County, South West.
It has 1161 students from age 13-19 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 19 : 1.
At this school, 48% of pupils achieved grade 5 or more at GCSE.
87.30% of pupils completing their main study programme.
This school rated Good by recent Ofsted inspection.
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From the Ferndown Upper School
I'm thrilled to welcome you to the website for Ferndown Upper School. I hope that when you look through the website, it will be clear to you what our principles are and what wonderful opportunities are available to everyone who studies and works here. Our goal at Ferndown Upper is for our students to develop into kind, self-assured, and autonomous young adults who value their education and have high aspirations for the future. High standards and exceptional support for every member of the school community are the foundation of our success. We are steadfast in our resolve to see that every student realises their full potential. In order to foster excellence and a passion for learning, Our highly qualified, committed staff members put in endless effort to "unlock" the abilities of each and every one of our pupils. To help each student grow into a highly skilled, eloquent young adult with the character traits and academic credentials required to thrive in higher education and the workforce, support and encouragement are always given. We want our pupils to fully benefit from the variety of fascinating opportunities the school provides, both within and beyond the classroom. We demand outstanding attendance, timeliness, a high level of uniform etiquette, and respect from each other among all members of the school community. Our work is centred on caring for others. But above all, we anticipate that students will work hard to do their best. Please utilise this website to stay up to date on our future activities and the most recent information. By doing so, you will learn even more about the possibilities open to individuals who pursue studies and employment at Ferndown Upper. Ferndown Upper School's students, faculty, and governors are all proud to be a part of it, and we hope that our website will show that.
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Compare with similar schools
| Phase of Education | Secondary | Secondary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Local Authority Maintained Schools | Local Authority Maintained Schools | Local Authority Maintained Schools |
| Snobe grade |
B-
|
A
|
B-
|
| Ofset report | Good | Good | Good |
| Age range | 13-19 | 11-19 | 11-18 |
| Gender | Co-Ed | Co-Ed | Co-Ed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student teacher ratio | 19 | - | 17 |
| Proficient Math | - | - | - |
| Proficient Read | - | - | - |
| Grade 5 or above GCSE | 48% | 34% | 60% |
| Grade 5 or above A Level | 5.00% | - | 15.80% |
| Day Fees | - | - | - |
Secondary Exam Result
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.72 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 49.3 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 48% | 19.08% | 30.03% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 69% | 30.94% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 15% | 15.19% | 25.06% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 7% | 5.83% | 10.91% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 8% | 9.53% | 15.51% |
| EBacc average points score | 3.82 | 2.31 | 2.83 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 89% | 82.13% | 90.53% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 212 | 147 | 144 |
| Pupils staying in education | 80% | 75.58% | 84.16% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 32% | 33.42% | 32.73% |
| School sixth forms | 46% | 32.21% | 29.8% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 0.13% | 10.22% |
| Other education destinations | 2% | 9.79% | 11.43% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 3% | 3.33% | 2.8% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 5% | 3.21% | 3.59% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.57 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 51.6 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 55% | 21.85% | 32.85% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 76% | 34.33% | 45.33% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 14% | 18.03% | 24.94% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 7% | 8.18% | 13.02% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 11% | 11.45% | 17.19% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.04 | 2.57 | 2.97 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 87% | 94.1% | 90.4% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 206 | 157 | 141 |
| Pupils staying in education | 82% | 88% | 86.29% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 28% | 38.43% | 34.03% |
| School sixth forms | 52% | 35.76% | 30.82% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 0.14% | 10.38% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 13.86% | 11.08% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 3% | 3.43% | 1.99% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 2% | 2.62% | 2.13% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.63 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 47.4 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 39% 1 | 18.97% | 29.3% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 67% 5 | 30.84% | 43.41% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 22% | 18.94% | 25.8% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 8% 6 | 6.69% | 11.47% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 13% 7 | 10.5% | 16.49% |
| EBacc average points score | 3.9 | 2.27 | 2.88 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 97% | 85.39% | 90.2% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 164 | 138 | 135 |
| Pupils staying in education | 87% | 76.94% | 84.08% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 29% | 26.5% | 33.25% |
| School sixth forms | 57% | 38.5% | 31.27% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 0.11% | 8.45% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 11.83% | 11.14% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 8% | 5% | 3.4% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 2% | 3.39% | 2.75% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.29 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 46.2 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 40% 2 | 23.38% | 29.22% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 62% 8 | 37.28% | 42.62% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 14% | 20.14% | 24.73% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 2% 11 | 8.93% | 11.33% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 6% 8 | 13.17% | 16.01% |
| EBacc average points score | 3.62 | 2.61 | 2.84 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 97% | 78.06% | 84.87% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 187 | 152 | 140 |
| Pupils staying in education | 89% | 61% | 73.88% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 28% | 24% | 28.31% |
| School sixth forms | 60% | 35.65% | 31.6% |
| Sixth form colleges | - | 0.24% | 9.08% |
| Other education destinations | - | 8.47% | 5.87% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 4% | 3.71% | 2.96% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 4% | 2% | 2.05% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.26 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 48.7 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 42% | 23% | 29.55% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 70% | 37.29% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 29% | 23.07% | 25.25% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 13% | 10.39% | 14.71% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 14% | 12.11% | 16.26% |
| EBacc average points score | - | - | - |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 95% | 84.56% | 85.29% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 220 | 163 | 145 |
| Pupils staying in education | 89% | 63.88% | 58.19% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 36% | 23.25% | 30.58% |
| School sixth forms | 52% | 41.56% | 32.22% |
| Sixth form colleges | - | 0% | 8.95% |
| Other education destinations | - | 8.56% | 5.7% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 9% | 5.31% | 4.78% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 6% | 2.31% | 2.45% |
A level exam result
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 29.6 | 31.48 | 30.01 |
| Average grade | C | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 30.06 | 30.99 | 29.57 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 5.00% | 12.05% | 13.67% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 108 | 148 | 201 |
| Students staying in education | 44% | 45.86% | 58.58% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 13% | 6.43% | 6.08% |
| Students entering employment | 22% | 33% | 21.16% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 7% | 9.43% | 9.05% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 33.74 | 37.79 | 33.41 |
| Average grade | C+ | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 32.5 | 37.55 | 32.47 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C+ | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 15.4% | 18.72% | 17.7% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 108 | 176 | 248 |
| Students staying in education | 46% | 48.69% | 60.67% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 9% | 5.38% | 5% |
| Students entering employment | 24% | 29.69% | 17.73% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 12% | 11.85% | 10.69% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 33.00 4 | 28.56 | 29.39 |
| Average grade | C+ | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 32.73 4 | 28.14 | 28.64 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C+ | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 6.0% | 10.79% | 13.07% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 131 | 187 | 232 |
| Students staying in education | 44% | 45.92% | 57.31% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 13% | 8% | 7.77% |
| Students entering employment | 32% | 32.42% | 20.99% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 7% | 10.17% | 8.8% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 29.51 2 | 27.97 | 29.03 |
| Average grade | C | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 28.95 2 | 27.64 | 28.82 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 1.9% | 11.45% | 13.37% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | - | 5 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 31 | 41.83% | 31.5% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 12% | 7.33% | 5.54% |
| Students entering employment | 31% | 24.92% | 15.81% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | - | 5.08% | 4.22% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 27.61 | 27.58 | 26.73 |
| Average grade | C- | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 30.65 | 28.75 | 27.73 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 8.5% | 12.01% | 12.64% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 12 | 7 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 25 | 44.33% | 36.26% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 9% | 7.67% | 6.37% |
| Students entering employment | 25% | 28.25% | 20.03% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | - | 5.33% | 4.23% |
Best Schools 2025
Ferndown Upper School Rankings
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Admission
Holidays & terms
Holidays 2024/25
| Holidays | Date |
|---|---|
| Autumn Half Term Holidays | 28th Oct 2024 - 1st Nov 2024 |
| Winter Holidays | 23rd Dec 2024 - 3rd Jan 2025 |
| Spring Half Term Holidays | 17th Feb 2025 - 21st Feb 2025 |
| Spring Holidays | 7th Apr 2025 - 21st Apr 2025 |
| Summer Half Term Holidays | 26th May 2025 - 30th May 2025 |
| Summer Holidays | 24th Jul 2025 - 29th Aug 2025 |
Terms Dates 2024/25
| Terms | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 3rd Sep 2024 - 27th Oct 2024 |
| Autumn Term-2 | 2nd Nov 2024 - 22nd Dec 2024 |
| Spring Term | 4th Jan 2025 - 16th Feb 2025 |
| Spring Term-2 | 22nd Feb 2025 - 6th Apr 2025 |
| Summer Term | 22nd Apr 2025 - 25th May 2025 |
| Summer Term-2 | 31st May 2025 - 23rd Jul 2025 |
Students Teachers
19 : 1
Student teacher ratio at Ferndown Upper School
Local authority ratio 18 : 1
