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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Strong standardURN 113854

Ferndown Upper School

Community school · Ferndown · BH22 9EY

Ages 13–19 · 1,134 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

Strong standard

Attainment 8

48.3

Overall absence

7.8%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Strong standard

Inspection date

2026-03-03

  • AchievementStrong standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceStrong standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.34
−20+2
Attainment 848.3
English & maths grade 5+50%
English & maths grade 4+74%
EBacc entry8%

EBacc APS: 3.7

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence7.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)22.1%
Unauthorised2.7%
Authorised absence
5.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.9%
Enrolments in measure
849

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 fill99%

1,134 pupils · 1,146 places

Pupils on roll
1,134
Boys / girls
565 / 569
School capacity
1,146
Capacity fill
1,134 / 1,146 (99%)
Free school meals
20.9%
FSM pupils
182
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 13–19

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Mr Philip Jones

Location

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

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
SLCN - Speech, language and Communication
Special classes
No Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
10 on roll / 10 capacity

Local context

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

Mixed community school (secondary), Ages 13–19, in Ferndown, Dorset, 1,134 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 20.9%. SEN provision includes: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication.

Open schools in Ferndown
7
Secondary schools in Ferndown
1
Academies among open schools in Ferndown
71% (5)
Open schools in BH22
7
Secondary in BH22
1
Open schools in Dorset LA
184
Secondary in Dorset LA
18

Nearby secondary 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

  • LeAF Studio

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Studio schools · Secondary

    Bournemouth · BH11 9JW · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 13–19

    • Att842.5
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+32%
    • Absence9.1%

    2.9 miles away

  • Ferndown Middle School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Middle deemed secondary

    Ferndown · BH22 9UP · Dorset

    Ages 9–13

    • KS253%
    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM20.7%

    0.3 miles away

  • Ferndown First School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Ferndown · BH22 9FB · Dorset

    Ages 4–9

    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM18.5%

    0.4 miles away

  • Parley First School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Ferndown · BH22 8QE · Dorset

    Ages 4–9

    • Absence5.4%
    • FSM11.5%

    1.0 miles away

  • West Moors Middle School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Community school · Middle deemed secondary

    Ferndown · BH22 0DA · Dorset

    Ages 9–13

    • KS253%
    • Absence10.9%
    • FSM37.1%

    1.5 miles away

  • Oakhurst Community First School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Ferndown · BH22 0DY · Dorset

    Ages 5–9

    • Absence4.9%
    • FSM20.8%

    1.5 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Philip Jones
Telephone
01202871243
Website
http://www.fernup.dorset.sch.uk

Official links