Ferndown Upper School vs Parley First School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South West, England, 1.6 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Ferndown Upper School
Ferndown · Local authority secondary · Ages 13–19
1,134 students
Parley First School
Ferndown · Academy primary · Ages 4–9
313 students
| Measure | Ferndown Upper School Ferndown, South West | Parley First School Ferndown, South West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 57 Top 50% | 76 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #150 of 402 | #278 of 1,695 |
| National rank | #1644 of 4,090 | #2749 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Local authority | Academy |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 13–19 | Ages 4–9 |
| Students | 1,134 | 313 |
| Pupils on roll | 1,134 | 313 |
| Free school meals | 20.9% | 11.5% |
| Capacity filled | 99% | 99.4% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 45.7 | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 45.4% | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 70.3% | – |
| EBacc average points | 3.53 | – |
| A level points per entry | 33.8 | – |
| town | Ferndown | Ferndown |
| region | South West | South West |
| Website | www.fernup.dorset.sch.uk | www.parley.dorset.sch.uk/ |
The verdict
- •Parley First School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (76.4 vs 56.5).
- •Ferndown Upper School is the larger school with 1,134 students compared with 313.
- •Ferndown Upper School is a local authority school while Parley First School is a academy school, so fees and admission rules differ.
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 Upper School better than Parley First School?
On the Success Index (England), Parley First School ranks higher (76.4 vs 56.5 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 Upper School and Parley First School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Ferndown and Ferndown in South West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Ferndown Upper School: 1,134. Parley First School: 313. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Ferndown Upper School and Parley First School rank in South West?
Ferndown Upper School is 150th of 402 and Parley First School is 278th of 1,695 among secondary schools in South West on the 2025 Success Index (England).