Ferndown Upper School vs St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South West, England, 2.7 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
St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery
Ferndown · Academy primary · Ages 2–9
148 students
| Measure | Ferndown Upper School Ferndown, South West | St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery Ferndown, South West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 57 Top 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #150 of 402 | #590 of 1,695 |
| National rank | #1644 of 4,090 | #5638 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Local authority | Academy |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 13–19 | Ages 2–9 |
| Students | 1,134 | 148 |
| Pupils on roll | 1,134 | 148 |
| Free school meals | 20.9% | 16.6% |
| Capacity filled | 99% | 80.4% |
| 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.stmaryswestmoors.org/ |
The verdict
- •St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery scores higher on the Success Index (England) (61.1 vs 56.5).
- •Ferndown Upper School is the larger school with 1,134 students compared with 148.
- •Ferndown Upper School is a local authority school while St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery 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 St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery?
On the Success Index (England), St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery ranks higher (61.1 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 St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery?
About 2.7 km in a straight line, between Ferndown and Ferndown in South West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Ferndown Upper School: 1,134. St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery: 148. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Ferndown Upper School and St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery rank in South West?
Ferndown Upper School is 150th 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).