Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 3 March 2026
Compared with the local authority and England
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 45.7 | 43.2 | 46.1 |
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 45% | 41% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 70% | 62% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 63% | 57% | 60% |
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 12% | 38% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Based on 249 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Ferndown Upper School's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by the local authority, Dorset, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
Ferndown Upper School is in Dorset council's area. Check its admissions booklet for how far away places went in recent years.
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
82%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
74%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
101 responses up to 7 September 2026 · 9% response rate
My child is happy at this school.
80% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
88% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
87% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
56% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
65% agreeOfsted inspected Ferndown Upper School on 3 March 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Strong standard for achievement, for inclusion, for leadership and governance, for personal development and wellbeing and for attendance and behaviour; Expected standard for curriculum and teaching and for post-16 provision.
Ferndown Upper School's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by the local authority, Dorset, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
Ferndown Upper School had 1,169 pupils aged 13 to 19 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,309. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.