Ferndale Primary School, Birmingham

Ofsted's report card from its 30 June 2026 inspection grades Ferndale Primary School on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have established an aspirational attendance culture that motivates pupils to come to school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders prioritise the personal development of all pupils."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically develop appropriate knowledge and skills in reading, writing and mathematics."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a broad curriculum that is well organised and builds up knowledge and skills."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders recognise the importance of the early years to give children the best start in education."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise ensuring that this is an inclusive, welcoming school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have created a culture of high expectations across the school community."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the targets for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are reviewed in a timely way, so that their support is precisely matched and adapted to meet pupils' needs and enable them to build successfully on their learning. This is especially the case for pupils with education, health and care plans"; "Leaders should ensure that early years provision is carefully planned and based on what children know and can do to enable them to build on their prior learning more effectively, so that they are prepared successfully for Year 1".

In its own words: "The aims at Ferndale Primary School are the same for all pupils."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to the Ferndale family, where we aim to fulfil our motto for all to 'belong-believe-achieve'. We pride ourselves in our values of honesty, respect, teamwork and equality, and welcome those who wish to share these with us. We are blessed with our children, our grounds and our staff."

In 2025, 81% of Year 6 pupils at Ferndale Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 71% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 75% in Sandwell and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 64% in reading and 54% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 50 families put Ferndale Primary School as their first choice and 126 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ferndale Primary School are Hamstead Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 74% reading, 79% maths); St Mark's Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles, 80% reading, 77% maths); Holy Name Catholic Primary School (0.5 miles); and Grove Vale Primary School (0.7 miles, Outstanding, 90% reading, 92% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Ferndale Primary School.

43% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (36%), White British (23%) and Black (19%).

Ferndale Primary School has a resourced provision for other difficulties or disabilities and autism: 7 places, 7 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Hamstead Rail Station, about 970 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Appleton Avenue (opposite), 160 metres away.

In 2024/25, Ferndale Primary School issued 6 suspensions, 1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Ferndale Primary School are Hamstead Hall Academy (0.7 miles), Q3 Academy Great Barr (1 mile) and Arena Academy (1.1 miles).