Fernwood School
Nottingham, NG8 2FT · Nottingham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st of 19 secondary schools in Nottingham we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 9.0/10 against 882 of them, against 8.7/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 65.5 · 87 | 30% | 2.61 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.6 · 88 | 25% | 2.20 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 54.6 · 84 | 10% | 0.84 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Fernwood School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 63.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 53.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.6 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (8.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in April 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils visit Hagg Farm and can join the after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,543 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,500. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What specific support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the after-school club integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Fernwood School
Overview
Fernwood School is judged as ‘Outstanding’ for overall effectiveness, with the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership also rated ‘Outstanding’. The report describes a school where ‘expectations are high’ and pupils ‘enjoy attending’, benefiting from an ‘intelligently designed’ curriculum that supports all learners, including those with special educational needs.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘ambitious for all pupils’ and under ‘constant review’, enabling students to ‘deepen their knowledge’ and confidently use subject-specific language.
- Teachers are ‘subject specialists’ who ‘precisely and consistently check pupils’ understanding’ and effectively address misconceptions.
- Pupils with SEND receive ‘highly effective, personalised support’, with staff knowing each pupil well to build both confidence and understanding.
- Behaviour is described as ‘exceptional’, with pupils being ‘committed to their learning’ and moving ‘calmly around a busy school site’.
- Reading is ‘prioritised’, with struggling readers quickly identified and supported to become ‘more confident and accurate’.
Areas to improve
- Pupils ‘do not yet have a secure understanding’ of British values and how they apply to their lives in school and society.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 59.2 |
| 2024/25 | 53.8 |
| 2025/26 | 54.6 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of NG8 2FT, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT