Oakhurst Community First School, Ferndown

Ofsted's report card from its 14 April 2026 inspection grades Oakhurst Community First School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "The school's highly inclusive approach supports pupils to develop their knowledge in reading, writing and mathematics."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have a strategic approach to both attendance and behaviour."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders accurately evaluate the quality of the curriculum and its delivery."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school prioritises its approach to inclusion."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders provide clear strategic direction for their school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school has a well-organised approach to pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that staff in the early years develop the necessary expertise so that their interactions consistently support the development of children's communication and language skills"; "Leaders should continue to refine more precise actions or targets within support plans, to ensure that the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are met".

For September 2026 entry, 31 families put Oakhurst Community First School as their first choice and 59 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 4 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Oakhurst Community First School are St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery (0.6 miles, Good); Ferndown First School (1.7 miles); Parley First School (2.2 miles, Good); and Three Legged Cross First and Nursery School (2.2 miles, Good).

Oakhurst Community First School is one of 6 schools run by The Heath Academy Trust, an academy trust.

53 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Oakhurst Community First School (as of September 2026): 89% would recommend the school, 89% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (93%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).

5.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

Oakhurst Community First School had 11 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Oakhurst Community First School.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Oakhurst Road (e-bound), 260 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 43 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Dorset (25), as is usual near a town centre.

Oakhurst Community First School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Oakhurst Community First School are West Moors Middle School (0.2 miles), Ferndown Upper School (1.5 miles) and Ferndown Middle School (1.7 miles).