Ferndown First School vs St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South West, England, 3.1 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Ferndown First School
Ferndown · Academy primary · Ages 4–9
348 students
St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery
Ferndown · Academy primary · Ages 2–9
148 students
| Measure | Ferndown First School Ferndown, South West | St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery Ferndown, South West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 55 Top 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #722 of 1,695 | #590 of 1,695 |
| National rank | #6812 of 15,697 | #5638 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Academy | Academy |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 4–9 | Ages 2–9 |
| Students | 348 | 148 |
| Pupils on roll | 348 | 148 |
| Free school meals | 18.5% | 16.6% |
| Capacity filled | 101.8% | 80.4% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | – | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | – | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | – | – |
| EBacc average points | – | – |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Ferndown | Ferndown |
| region | South West | South West |
| Website | www.fernfirst.dorset.sch.uk | www.stmaryswestmoors.org/ |
The verdict
- •St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery scores higher on the Success Index (England) (61.1 vs 55.4).
- •Ferndown First School is the larger school with 348 students compared with 148.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Ferndown First School better than St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery?
On the Success Index (England), St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery ranks higher (61.1 vs 55.4 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Ferndown First School and St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery?
About 3.1 km in a straight line, between Ferndown and Ferndown in South West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Ferndown First School: 348. St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery: 148. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Ferndown First School and St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery rank in South West?
Ferndown First School is 722nd of 1,695 and St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery is 590th of 1,695 among primary schools in South West on the 2025 Success Index (England).