The Woodlands, Ferryhill
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
The Woodlands excels at transforming the educational experiences of pupils who have struggled in mainstream schools. Staff create a calm, caring environment where pupils feel valued and understood, leading to significant improvements in attendance, behaviour and reading skills. The school's broad curriculum and strong enrichment programme, from mixed martial arts to learning from community speakers, help pupils develop real confidence and perspective for their future.
Key Strengths
- Strong focus on pupils' emotional wellbeing and behaviour management with skilled staff helping pupils develop self-regulation skills
- Ambitious and flexible curriculum with particular strength in teaching phonics and reading
- Excellent pastoral support and attendance procedures that result in improved attendance during pupils' time at school
- Exemplary behaviour supported by positive staff-pupil relationships and consistent routines
- Broad enrichment programme including mixed martial arts, guest speakers and real-world learning opportunities
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils with Education, Health and Care plans do not receive all aspects of their learning programmes due to resource limitations
- The school is working with partners to overcome these resource difficulties
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with clear procedures in place that prioritise pupils' wellbeing and safety.
Extracurricular Activities
Mixed martial arts coaching, guest speakers sharing personal experiences, enrichment programme activities
The Woodlands is a nurturing pupil referral unit that has maintained good standards since its previous inspection. The school successfully helps pupils who have been excluded from mainstream education to re-engage with learning in a safe and inclusive environment.
At a Glance
80.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
39 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
0.0
Avg class size
0
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
330%
Over capacity
330 pupils
100 capacity
230 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Ferryhill
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Ferryhill
Admissions Demand - County Durham
Places available
5,856
Applications
5,186
Got 1st preference
94.1%
Got preferred school
98.5%
Secondary admissions across County Durham (2025/26)
Inspection History(10)
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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.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
The Woodlands
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