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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 139988

The Ferrers School

Academy converter · Rushden · NN10 8LF

Ages 11–18 · 937 pupils · North Northamptonshire

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

39.4

Overall absence

11.1%

Admissions demand

1.09 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-03-03

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingNeeds attention
  • Leadership and governanceExpected 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 8-0.28
−20+2
Attainment 839.4
English & maths grade 5+33%
English & maths grade 4+50%
EBacc entry40%

EBacc APS: 3.5

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence11.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)29.8%
Unauthorised4.7%
Authorised absence
6.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
5.5%
Enrolments in measure
853

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary 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

1.09 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

190

Places offered

175

1st-preference offers

169

Total preferences (any rank)
297
Preferred offers (top 3)
175
Applications from outside LA
5
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

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 fill85%

937 pupils · 1,100 places

Pupils on roll
937
Boys / girls
476 / 461
School capacity
1,100
Capacity fill
937 / 1,100 (85%)
Free school meals
19.3%
FSM pupils
166
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: MERIDIAN TRUST
Academy trust
MERIDIAN TRUST
Sponsor
Meridian Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Clare Raku

Location

Address
Queensway, Higham Ferrers
Postcode
NN10 8LF
Town
Rushden
County
Northamptonshire
Local authority
North Northamptonshire
District
North Northamptonshire
Constituency
Wellingborough and Rushden
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 (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Rushden, North Northamptonshire, 937 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 19.3%.

Open schools in Rushden
12
Secondary schools in Rushden
2
Academies among open schools in Rushden
58% (7)
Open schools in NN10
14
Secondary in NN10
2
Open schools in North Northamptonshire LA
154
Secondary in North Northamptonshire LA
20

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 RushdenNear NN10

  • Rushden Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Rushden · NN10 6AG · North Northamptonshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att839.8
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+28%
    • Absence9.2%

    0.8 miles away

  • Huxlow Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Irthlingborough · NN9 5TY · North Northamptonshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att837.3
    • P8-0.7
    • EM5+27%
    • Absence8.9%

    2.3 miles away

  • Higham Ferrers Junior School

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy converter · Primary

    Rushden · NN10 8ED · North Northamptonshire

    Ages 7–11

    • FSM24.2%

    0.4 miles away

  • Chelveston Road School

    Ofsted: Good

    Free schools special

    Higham Ferrers · NN10 8HN · North Northamptonshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Absence8.6%
    • FSM48.6%

    0.5 miles away

  • Denfield Park Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Rushden · NN10 0DA · North Northamptonshire

    Ages 3–11

    • KS259%
    • Absence5.2%
    • FSM15.8%
    • Demand1.00

    0.7 miles away

  • Henry Chichele Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Community school · Primary

    Higham Ferrers · NN10 8NQ · North Northamptonshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS253%
    • Absence4.6%
    • FSM6.2%
    • Demand0.91

    0.8 miles away

  • Newton Road School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Rushden · NN10 0HH · North Northamptonshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS228%
    • Absence7.8%
    • FSM40.3%
    • Demand1.00

    1.0 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Clare Raku
Telephone
01933313411
Website
http://www.theferrers.org

Official links