Ferndown Middle School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Senior leaders are not complacent. They and the governing body are continuing to consider and develop ways to improve.

They work closely with other agencies and providers to keep pupils safe and raise pupils' achievements. Middle leaders, established and new, are a considerable strength of the school. They are articulate and enthusiastic.

They are highly supportive of the senior leaders and with them are passionate about providing the very best education for pupils in their care. Teaching, learning and assessment are good. Teachers have good subject knowledge.

They ensure that pupils have work that is at the right level of challe...nge. The school provides a rounded and high-quality curriculum. Over their four years at this school, pupils enjoy rich and stimulating activities in a wide range of subjects.

Pupils leave Year 8 well prepared for Year 9 and beyond. Pupils in all year groups, including disadvantaged pupils and those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities, are making good and increasingly rapid progress. However, the differences between the achievements of disadvantaged pupils and those of other pupils nationally are not diminishing fast enough.

Governors are effective. They understand the strengths of the school and the areas needing further improvement. They provide good strategic direction for the school.

They are increasingly challenging leaders at all levels to help improve the school. Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around the school is good. Adults provide good support for pupils' well-being, and pastoral development helps them to be successful.

Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is strong. Parents and carers are generally supportive of the school. However, some parents are not happy with the amount and timeliness of the communication they have with the school.

Results in the national tests at the end of Year 6 remain too low. They are below those expected for the pupils' age and from their results at the end of Year 2. Some pupils do not attend school as often as they should.

The school works closely with other agencies to improve attendance. However, the persistent absence of some pupils hinders their ability to achieve their potential.

Information about this school

There have been considerable changes to the teaching staff, management and leadership roles since the previous inspection.

The school uses The Forum Centre in Blandford as an alternative provider, when needed. The school does not meet the current government floor standard at key stage 2. The school meets the Department for Education's definition of a coasting school based on key stage 2 academic performance results in 2014, 2015 and 2016.