Fernwood School, Nottingham

In its own words: "The Fernwood School is a richly diverse multi-cultural community based on the principles of mutual respect for all. These principles allow everyone to contribute to an environment which is both supportive and challenging. Students learn to develop a positive self-image alongside respecting the rights, feelings, and beliefs of others. At Fernwood everyone's uniqueness is valued and celebrated."

From the headteacher's welcome: "You will be able to read about the underpinning values and ethos that make Fernwood such a fantastic and high achieving school. Pupils at Fernwood experience a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum that provides them with the necessary building blocks of knowledge, skills and understanding enabling them to be successful in their qualifications and beyond."

In 2026, pupils at Fernwood School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 54.6, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.4 in Nottingham and 47 across England.

66% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 43% in Nottingham and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 53.8.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.6: pupils made well above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 36.7, against 59 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 22.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 27 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Chemistry and Biology.

For September 2026 entry, 426 families put Fernwood School as their first choice and 796 named it as one of their preferences, for 293 places offered. That is 1.5 first choices for every place. 140 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Fernwood School are Nottingham University Samworth Academy (0.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 39.9); Bluecoat Beechdale Academy (1.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 36.6); Bramcote College (1.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.7); and Bluecoat Wollaton Academy (1.3 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 53.4).

Fernwood School's 2026 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Fernwood School is run by its own single-school academy trust.

Of the 217 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 91% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 19% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

34% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (36%), Asian (26%) and Mixed (12%).

In 2026, 144 pupils (9.3%) received SEN support and 20 (1.3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.

The nearest tram or metro stop is University Boulevard Tram Stop, about 1.9 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Glover Avenue, 200 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Fernwood School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 177 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Nottingham (391).

In 2024/25, Fernwood School issued 92 suspensions, 6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Fernwood School are Fernwood Primary School (0.1 miles), Firbeck Academy (0.5 miles), Portland Spencer Academy (0.6 miles) and Glenbrook Spencer Academy (1.1 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.