Schools by area › Dorset › Ferndown Upper School
Ferndown Upper School
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 13–19 · Community school
Cherry Grove, Ferndown BH22 9EY · fernup.dorset.sch.uk · 01202 871243
On the mapSearch near BH22 9EY
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- Mar 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 45.7
- average Attainment 8 score. Dorset 43.2, England 46
- Pupils
- 1,134
- 99% of 1,146 places
- Local authority
- Dorset
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 20.9%
- First language not English
- 5.9%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 45.7, and 45.4% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Dorset it was 43.2, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade C+ (33.8 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ●45.7 | 46.0 | ||
| ●45.4% | 45.4% | ||
| ▲70.3% | 64.8% | ||
| ▼12.4% | 40.5% | ||
| ▼3.53 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 51 | −11.7 |
| Sixth form college | 0.4 | — |
| Further education | 34.7 | +15.6 |
| Apprenticeship | 6.7 | +3.1 |
| Employment | 1.3 | −2.7 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 5.4 | −1.7 |
| Activity not captured | 0.4 | −2.3 |
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 113 students | C+ (33.8) | Average -0.09 | |
| 114 students | C+ (33.8) | Average -0.08 | |
| 47 students | Dist (33.8) | Average 0.00 | |
| 9 students | Dist*- (42.7) | Above average +0.91 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 115 | C (31.7) | +0.06 |
| 2022/23 | 87 | C (29.6) | — |
| 2021/22 | 99 | C+ (33.7) | — |
| 2018/19 | 81 | C+ (33) | +0.23 |
| 2017/18 | 82 | C (29.5) | +0.18 |
| 2016/17 | 121 | C- (27.6) | +0.17 |
| 2015/16 | 105 | C- (26.2) | 0.00 |
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 37 | +2.9 |
| Other education | 8.5 | −3.1 |
| Apprenticeship | 12.3 | +1.4 |
| Employment | 27.9 | −1.1 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 10.4 | +6.1 |
| Activity not captured | 3.9 | −6.2 |
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected Ferndown Upper School on 3 March 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Strong standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard
- Achievement: Strong standard
- Attendance and behaviour: Strong standard
- Personal development and well-being: Strong standard
- Post-16 provision: Expected standard
- Leadership and governance: Strong standard
- Inspected
- 3 Mar 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Strong standard |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Expected standard |
| Achievement | Strong standard |
| Attendance and behaviour | Strong standard |
| Personal development and well-being | Strong standard |
| Post-16 provision | Expected standard |
| Leadership and governance | Strong standard |
Previously: Remains Good, ungraded inspection, Dec 2021
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
Dec 2021Ungraded inspectionRemains Good
Safeguarding Effective
Before September 2019
May 2016Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good Leadership and management Good 16 to 19 study programmes Good Safeguarding Effective Jan 2014Inadequate
Outcomes for pupils Inadequate Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Inadequate Leadership and management Requires improvement
What parents said
82% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (101 replies, to 6 April 2026).
- Recommend
- 82%
- Positive
- 74%
- Replies
- 101
- 9% · 6 Apr 2026
based on the 91% who raised concerns
based on 16 parents (16%) whose child was bullied
based on 23 parents (23%) with SEND