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OpenPrimaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 148161

Ferndown First School

Academy converter · Ferndown · BH22 9FB

Ages 4–9 · 348 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Overall absence

5.6%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-12-14

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence5.6%
Persistent absence (10%+)16.3%
Unauthorised2.0%
Authorised absence
3.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.4%
Enrolments in measure
283

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill102%

348 pupils · 342 places

Pupils on roll
348
Boys / girls
172 / 176
School capacity
342
Capacity fill
348 / 342 (102%)
Free school meals
18.5%
FSM pupils
64
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 4–9

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: SOUTHERN EDUCATION TRUST
Academy trust
SOUTHERN EDUCATION TRUST
Sponsor
Delta Education Trust
Headteacher
Mr Sean Watts

Location

Address
Mountbatten Drive
Postcode
BH22 9FB
Town
Ferndown
County
Dorset
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
Christchurch
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (primary), Ages 4–9, in Ferndown, Dorset, 348 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 18.5%.

Open schools in Ferndown
7
Primary schools in Ferndown
4
Academies among open schools in Ferndown
71% (5)
Open schools in BH22
7
Primary in BH22
4
Open schools in Dorset LA
184
Primary in Dorset LA
119

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in FerndownNear BH22

  • Parley First School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Ferndown · BH22 8QE · Dorset

    Ages 4–9

    • Absence5.4%
    • FSM11.5%

    0.7 miles away

  • Oakhurst Community First School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Ferndown · BH22 0DY · Dorset

    Ages 5–9

    • Absence4.9%
    • FSM20.8%

    1.7 miles away

  • Hayeswood First School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Wimborne · BH21 2HN · Dorset

    Ages 5–9

    • Absence4.5%
    • FSM7.4%

    2.3 miles away

  • Kinson Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bournemouth · BH11 9DG · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 4–11

    • KS250%
    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM40.8%

    2.3 miles away

  • Colehill First School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Wimborne · BH21 2LZ · Dorset

    Ages 5–9

    • Absence4.0%
    • FSM9.5%

    2.4 miles away

  • Christ The King Catholic Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bournemouth · BH11 9EH · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 3–11

    • KS246%
    • Absence6.2%
    • FSM17.5%

    2.5 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Sean Watts
Telephone
01202873747
Website
http://www.fernfirst.dorset.sch.uk

Official links