Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 6 January 2026
Compared with the local authority and England
The share of pupils reaching the standard expected for their age, and the share going beyond it.
| Measure | School | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, writing & maths — expected | 76% | 64% | 63% |
| Reading, writing & maths — higher | 12% | 10% | 8% |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling — expected | 83% | 76% | 73% |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling — higher | 27% | 34% | 30% |
A score of 100 is the expected standard; 110 or more is a higher standard.
| Subject | School | Bolton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 108 | 105 | 106 |
| Maths | 108 | 105 | 105 |
| Grammar, punctuation & spelling | 106 | 106 | 105 |
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
81%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
56%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
36 responses up to 6 April 2026 · 8% response rate
My child is happy at this school.
86% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
89% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
83% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
50% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
69% agreeOfsted inspected The Ferns Primary Academy on 6 January 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 curriculum and teaching, for leadership and governance, for personal development and wellbeing and for early years; Expected standard for inclusion and for attendance and behaviour.
Apply through the council where you live by 15 January for a Reception place starting that September. Children start Reception in the September after their fourth birthday. You can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference, and offers are sent on 16 April, or the next working day. A place in its nursery class does not carry on into Reception, so you still need to apply.
No. Distance only counts when The Ferns Primary Academy has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
The Ferns Primary Academy had 445 pupils aged 3 to 11 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 420. It is a mixed school.
Community school
0.3 miles away
Voluntary aided school
0.4 miles away
Academy converter
0.4 miles away
Community school
0.4 miles away
Voluntary aided school
0.7 miles away