The Woodlands, Ferryhill

In its own words: "The Woodlands, previously known as Broom Cottages Pupil Referral Unit, is the Durham County Council provision for permanently excluded pupils, those identified as close to permanent exclusion, and those who cannot attend school because of health needs. For pupils aged 11-16 the provision is located across 2 bases ‘The Elms’ and ‘The Maples’ in Ferryhill, Durham."

39 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Woodlands (as of September 2025): 92% would recommend the school, 87% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that their child does well at the school (82%).

Of the 70 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 29% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 29% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 9% into work.

80.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 0.6% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 75 pupils (22.7%) received SEN support and 27 (8.2%) had an education, health and care plan. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of The Woodlands.

21 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Broom Road-Primary School (nw-bound), 120 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood The Woodlands stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 157 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in County Durham (84), as is usual near a town centre.