Fernwood Primary School

Fernwood Primary School is performing well, having taken effective action to maintain the standards noted in its previous inspection. The school is characterized by a vibrant and joyful atmosphere where pupils are both happy and safe. The school places strong emphasis on academic achievement and personal development for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The focus on high expectations for behaviour has fostered a positive and engaged learning environment. Furthermore, the enriching curriculum and thoughtful implementation of themed events also enhance the overall educational experience.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve well academically and in their personal development.
• Strong ambition for pupil success, particularly in supporting those with SEND.
• Exemplary behaviour and high expectations in the classroom.
• Effective teaching and a well-sequenced curriculum that revisits key knowledge.
• Engaging early years curriculum that supports the development of communication skills.
• Well-considered reading curriculum that aids fluency and understanding.
• Active parental support and positive feedback regarding care and support for pupils.

Areas for Improvement

• Some staff do not provide enough opportunities for pupils to apply new knowledge.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Fernwood Primary School attended 96.3% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 6.9% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.5% of pupils at Fernwood Primary School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Fernwood Primary School had 20.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 4.8% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 8.3% of pupils at Fernwood Primary School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 1.6% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

The school has resourced provision with 4 pupils.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Fernwood Primary School received £6,321 and spent £6,687 for each of its 1,104 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £187,000 (£169 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is Fernwood Primary School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Fernwood Primary School is Good, from an inspection in April 2025.

When was Fernwood Primary School last inspected by Ofsted?

Fernwood Primary School was last inspected in April 2025.

How many pupils does Fernwood Primary School have?

Fernwood Primary School has 1,122 pupils on roll.

What age range does Fernwood Primary School cover?

Fernwood Primary School for pupils aged 3 to 11.

What are Fernwood Primary School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 66% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Fernwood Primary School?

Fernwood Primary School is at Arleston Drive, Wollaton, Nottingham, NG8 2FZ.