The Ferns Primary Academy

Primary
Academy
Ages 3 to 11

Report card: Expected standard to strong standard

Plodder Lane, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 0DAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Ferns Primary Academy is a primary school in Bolton for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 142 schools in Bolton. It ranks 16th of 86 primary schools in Bolton. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in January 2026.

Ofsted report card

Inspected 6 January 2026, report published 15 March 2026

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

Inclusion: Expected standard
Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard
Achievement: Strong standard
Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard
Personal development and wellbeing: Strong standard
Leadership and governance: Strong standard
Early years: Strong standard
Safeguarding: Met

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

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

59 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths76%

76%, 14 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths12%

12%, 4 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score108

108, 2 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score108

108, 3 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

445 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals30.6%

30.6%, 4.1 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language28.5%

28.5%, 6.9 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support14.4%

14.4%, 0.4 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.2%

2.2%, 3.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Ferns Primary Academy

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Queensbridge Primary School	0.3 miles	Ofsted: Good	58% met the expected standard
Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School	0.4 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding	79% met the expected standard
St James CofE Primary School, Farnworth	0.4 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding	67% met the expected standard
Highfield Primary School	0.4 miles	Report card: Expected standard to strong standard	66% met the expected standard
All Saints CofE Primary School	0.7 miles	Report card: Expected standard to strong standard	66% met the expected standard

School details

School type: Academy sponsor led
Sector: Academy
Trust: NORTHERN EDUCATION TRUST
Age range: 3 to 11
Gender: Mixed
Nursery classes: Yes
Headteacher: Mrs Sarah Hambley
Phone: 01204471277
Website: tfa.northerneducationtrust.org (opens in a new tab)
Address: Plodder Lane, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 0DA
Local authority: Bolton
URN: 138399

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.