Ferney Lee Primary School

About Ferney Lee Primary School

Ferney Lee Primary School is a state-funded, mixed primary school in Calderdale, Yorkshire, serving children from age 3 to 11. It currently has 218 pupils on roll against a capacity of 240, meaning it is not yet full but is clearly in demand. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 41 total applications for 27 places, with all 27 first-preference applicants receiving offers, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.52. This suggests a solid local reputation, though not extreme competition. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 30%, which is notably higher than the national average of around 23%, indicating the school serves a community with above-average levels of economic disadvantage. The school has a nursery provision, offering an entry point for families from age 3. Its religious character is listed as 'does not apply', making it a non-denominational option in a local authority that includes several church schools among its top performers.

Academically, Ferney Lee was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, a significant improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2019. All inspected categories — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — were judged Good. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, 48% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the Calderdale local authority average of 59%. This places the school 59th out of 73 primary schools in the borough, in the bottom half regionally and nationally. However, individual subject results show more variation: 76% met the expected standard in reading, 68% in writing, and 48% in maths. The proportion achieving the higher standard in all three subjects was just 4%, though 12% reached that level in reading and 8% in writing. Progress scores are not available in the data.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a library, art studios, an outdoor playground, a forest school, and a chapel. Sports provision covers football, tennis, cross country, netball, athletics and cricket, while clubs include eco club, chess and choir. Ferney Lee has an extensive list of SEND provisions, supporting children with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, visual and multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. This makes it a potentially strong choice for families whose children require additional support. The school is oversubscribed but not fiercely so, and with 27 first-preference offers matching the 27 places, families who put it first are likely to secure a spot. It suits families looking for a non-faith, inclusive primary with a focus on outdoor learning and a wide range of extracurricular activities, particularly those in the Calderdale area.

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