Schools by area › Bolton › The Ferns Primary Academy
The Ferns Primary Academy
Primary · Mixed · Ages 3–11 · Sponsored academy
Plodder Lane, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 0DA · tfa.northerneducationtrust.org · 01204 471277
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- Jan 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- Key stage 2, 2024/25
- 76%
- reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. Bolton 64%, England 62%
- Demand for places
- 0.8
- first choices for each place · Reception, September 2026
- Pupils
- 445
- 25 over 420 places · 106%
- Local authority
- Bolton
- Nursery class
- Yes
- Free school meals
- 32%
- First language not English
- 28.5%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Reception in September 2026, 39 families put the school first and 46 places were offered; 100% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
First choices against places
| Reception | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 46 | 39 | 0.8 | 100% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 55 | 53 | 1 | 100% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 60 | 60 | 1 | 88% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 59 | 55 | 0.9 | 100% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 60 | 55 | 0.9 | 96% |
Results
In 2024/25, 76% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage 2, and 12% the higher standard. Across Bolton it was 64%, and across England 62%.
Expected standard reading, writing and maths
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, writing and maths | |||
| ▲76% | 62% | ||
| ▲12% | 8% | ||
| Average scaled score | |||
| ●108 | 106 | ||
| ▲108 | 105 | ||
| ●106 | 105 | ||
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected The Ferns Primary Academy on 6 January 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard
- Achievement: Strong standard
- Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard
- Personal development and well-being: Strong standard
- Early years: Strong standard
- Leadership and governance: Strong standard
- Inspected
- 6 Jan 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Expected standard |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Strong standard |
| Achievement | Strong standard |
| Attendance and behaviour | Expected standard |
| Personal development and well-being | Strong standard |
| Early years | Strong standard |
| Leadership and governance | Strong standard |
Previously: Remains Good, ungraded inspection, Jul 2021
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
- Jul 2021Ungraded inspectionRemains Good
Before September 2019
Jun 2016Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding Leadership and management Good Early years Good Safeguarding Effective May 2014Requires improvement
Outcomes for pupils Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Leadership and management Good
What parents said
81% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (36 replies, to 6 April 2026).
- Recommend
- 81%
- Positive
- 56%
- Replies
- 36
- 8% · 6 Apr 2026
based on the 94% who raised concerns
based on 6 parents (17%) whose child was bullied
based on 13 parents (36%) with SEND