Ferndown Upper School

Secondary
Local authority maintained
Ages 13 to 19

Report card: Expected standard to strong standard

Cherry Grove, Ferndown, BH22 9EYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Ferndown Upper School is a secondary school in Ferndown for ages 13 to 19. It is one of the 179 schools in Dorset. It ranks 3rd of 18 secondary schools in Dorset. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in March 2026.

Ofsted report card

Inspected 3 March 2026, report published 5 May 2026

Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.

Inclusion: Strong standard
Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard
Achievement: Strong standard
Attendance and behaviour: Strong standard
Personal development and wellbeing: Strong standard
Leadership and governance: Strong standard
Post-16 provision: Expected standard
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

249 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score45.7

45.7, 0.4 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths45.4%

45.4%, the same as the England average.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths70.3%

70.3%, 5.5 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc12.4%

12.4%, 28.1 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.53

3.53, 0.56 below the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

113 students

Average point score per A level entry33.76

33.76, 1.24 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C+, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,134 pupils on roll, with places for 1,146

Eligible for free school meals19.5%

19.5%, 7 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language5.9%

5.9%, 15.7 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support12.4%

12.4%, 2.4 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.2%

4.2%, 1.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Ferndown Upper School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Canford School	3 miles	No Ofsted inspection	Attainment 8: 26.8
LeAF Studio	3 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding	Attainment 8: 42.4
Oak Academy	3 miles	Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good	Attainment 8: 32.5
The Bourne Academy	3 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 44.2
Glenmoor Academy	4 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	Attainment 8: 60.7

School details

School type: Community school
Sector: Local authority maintained
Age range: 13 to 19
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: Yes
Headteacher: Mr Philip Jones
Phone: 01202871243
Website: fernup.dorset.sch.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Cherry Grove, Ferndown, BH22 9EY
Local authority: Dorset
URN: 113854

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.