The Ferrers School, Rushden
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
The Ferrers School excels at pastoral care, with its house system creating a safe, supportive environment where pupils feel known and valued by staff. Behaviour and attendance have improved significantly through consistent routines and excellent support from form tutors and house leaders. The school is particularly strong at including all pupils, especially those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable, and giving them equal access to opportunities.
Key Strengths
- Excellent pastoral care through the house system with strong relationships between staff and pupils
- Significant improvements in behaviour and attendance, with suspensions reduced considerably
- Inclusive approach that supports disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils well
- Effective sixth-form provision with students achieving in line with national averages
- Well-structured careers programme helping pupils make informed choices about their futures
Areas for Improvement
- Achievement at key stage 4 below national averages, limiting pupils' post-school choices
- Variable teaching quality with teachers not consistently checking pupil understanding or identifying gaps in knowledge
- Gaps in basic literacy skills not identified or corrected quickly enough
- Personal, social and health education curriculum not giving enough priority to diversity and cultural understanding
- Some early-stage interventions for reading support need further development
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has created an open and positive culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Extra-curricular activities, careers fairs, mock interviews, work experience, Pledges programme for character building and active citizenship, volunteer opportunities
The Ferrers School is a secondary school that has made significant progress in behaviour, attendance and inclusion under new leadership. However, achievement at key stage 4 remains below national averages and teaching quality is inconsistent.
At a Glance
19.3%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
22.8
Avg class size
41
Total classes
4 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
85%
Available places
937 pupils
1,100 capacity
163 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Rushden
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Rushden
Admissions Demand - North Northamptonshire
Places available
4,332
Applications
4,139
Got 1st preference
82.9%
Got preferred school
95.5%
Secondary admissions across North Northamptonshire (2025/26)
Inspection History(19)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
10.24258%
Overall absence
26.05714%
Persistent absence
875
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
The Ferrers School
Higham Ferrers Junior School
Higham Ferrers Nursery and Infant School
Denfield Park Primary School
Henry Chichele Primary School
Newton Road School
Alfred Lord Tennyson School
South End Infant School
Whitefriars Primary School
Rushden Primary Academy
South End Junior School
Nearby Schools
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