Ferndown Middle School vs St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South West, England, 3.0 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Ferndown Middle School
Ferndown · Academy secondary · Ages 9–13
600 students
St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery
Ferndown · Academy primary · Ages 2–9
148 students
| Measure | Ferndown Middle School Ferndown, South West | St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery Ferndown, South West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 24 Lower 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #331 of 402 | #590 of 1,695 |
| National rank | #3265 of 4,090 | #5638 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Academy | Academy |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 9–13 | Ages 2–9 |
| Students | 600 | 148 |
| Pupils on roll | 600 | 148 |
| Free school meals | 20.7% | 16.6% |
| Capacity filled | 100% | 80.4% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 45% | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | 1% | – |
| 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 | fernmid.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 23.8).
- •Ferndown Middle School is the larger school with 600 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT
Frequently asked questions
Is Ferndown Middle 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 23.8 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 Middle School and St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery?
About 3.0 km in a straight line, between Ferndown and Ferndown in South West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Ferndown Middle School: 600. St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery: 148. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Ferndown Middle School and St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery rank in South West?
Ferndown Middle School is 331st of 402 and St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery is 590th of 1,695 among secondary schools in South West on the 2025 Success Index (England).