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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Strong standardURN 138399

The Ferns Primary Academy

Academy sponsor led · Bolton · BL4 0DA

Ages 3–11 · 445 pupils · Bolton

School website

Ofsted

Strong standard

KS2 expected (RWM)

87%

Overall absence

5.2%

Admissions demand

1.00 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Strong standard

Inspection date

2026-01-06

  • AchievementStrong standard
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected 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 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)87%
Higher standard (RWM)3%
Avg scaled score — reading
107.0
Avg scaled score — maths
106.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
104.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence5.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)14.5%
Unauthorised1.3%
Authorised absence
3.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
379

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.00 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

60

Places offered

60

1st-preference offers

53

Total preferences (any rank)
129
Preferred offers (top 3)
60
Applications from outside LA
1
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill106%

445 pupils · 420 places

Pupils on roll
445
Boys / girls
225 / 220
School capacity
420
Capacity fill
445 / 420 (106%)
Free school meals
32%
FSM pupils
135
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 3–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: NORTHERN EDUCATION TRUST
Academy trust
NORTHERN EDUCATION TRUST
Sponsor
Northern Education Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Hambley

Location

Address
Plodder Lane, Farnworth
Postcode
BL4 0DA
Town
Bolton
County
Lancashire
Local authority
Bolton
District
Bolton
Constituency
Bolton South and Walkden
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 sponsor led (primary), Ages 3–11, in Bolton, Bolton, 445 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery, academy. Free school meals: 32%.

Open schools in Bolton
149
Primary schools in Bolton
98
Academies among open schools in Bolton
33% (49)
Open schools in BL4
21
Primary in BL4
13
Open schools in Bolton LA
148
Primary in Bolton LA
97

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 BoltonNear BL4

  • Queensbridge Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bolton · BL4 7BL · Bolton

    Ages 3–11

    • KS252%
    • Absence6.6%
    • FSM39.4%
    • Demand1.00

    0.3 miles away

  • Highfield Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Community school · Primary

    Bolton · BL4 0AP · Bolton

    Ages 4–11

    • KS276%
    • Absence6.7%
    • FSM25.0%
    • Demand0.90

    0.4 miles away

  • All Saints CofE Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Bolton · BL4 7PY · Bolton

    Ages 2–11

    • KS247%
    • Absence7.5%
    • FSM29.8%
    • Demand1.50

    0.7 miles away

  • St Peter's CofE Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Bolton · BL4 9JT · Bolton

    Ages 4–11

    • KS269%
    • Absence4.6%
    • FSM28.7%
    • Demand1.61

    0.8 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Hambley
Telephone
01204471277
Website
https://tfa.northerneducationtrust.org/

Official links