Fernways School
Hatton Hill, Windlesham, Windlesham, GU20 6ABOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Fernways School is a special school in Windlesham for ages 7 to 16. It is one of the 512 schools in Surrey. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2025.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 3 June 2025, report published 10 July 2025
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 3 June 2025
This is a very happy and harmonious school with strong and shared values of 'creativity, community and confidence'. Staff swiftly and expertly build extremely positive relationships with every pupil. Consequently, pupils feel valued and cared for, and they blossom as individuals. Staff have precisely identified pupils' needs. They have thoughtfully designed an ambitious curriculum across a broad range of subjects in all key stages. Furthermore, reinforcement of literacy, communication and numeracy skills is woven through lessons and enrichment activities. Pupils are increasingly prepared very well for their next steps and make steady progress through the curriculum from their starting points. Pupils in Year 11 are helped to achieve a range of qualifications, including GCSEs. Pupils delight in coming to school. Their behaviour and attitudes to learning are exceptionally positive. Pupils learn to put into practice highly effective strategies to manage their emotions. They are proud they can do this with increasing independence. Consequently, lessons and social time are calm and purposeful. Pupils are kind and courteous. It is striking how respectfully pupils treat the school's pristine environment, including the numerous displays of their peers' artwork. Also, younger pupils take great care not to disturb those taking examinations.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, there are a few variations in how well the curriculum is implemented. These inconsistencies affect how well some pupils learn the intended curriculum. The school should ensure that, where this is the case, the curriculum is implemented consistently well so that all pupils build up their knowledge and understanding securely over time.
- Some strategic actions to raise expectations at the school even higher are not fully embedded. For example, strategies to develop the life skills and careers programmes are still in development as the school grows. As a result, sometimes pupils do not benefit from the full impact of this most recent work. The school should continue to embed these strategies so that they are implemented consistently.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
10 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
51 pupils on roll, with places for 50
Schools near Fernways School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathermount School | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 16.7 |
| Lift Wishmore | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 5.5 |
| Carwarden House Community School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Portesbery School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Knowl Hill School | 5 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 13.4 |
School details
- School type
- Other independent special school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 7 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Nikeisha Webb-Hardy
- Phone
- 01276402131
- Address
- Hatton Hill, Windlesham, Windlesham, GU20 6AB
- Local authority
- Surrey
- URN
- 148631
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.