Fernwood Primary School
About Fernwood Primary School
Fernwood Primary School is a large state primary in Nottingham, currently educating 1,122 pupils against an official capacity of 1,050, meaning it is operating well above its intended size. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 9.9%, which is notably lower than the national average for primary schools, suggesting a relatively advantaged intake compared with many schools in the local authority. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 271 applications for 150 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1.81, and only 147 of those 150 first-preference offers were made, indicating that even families who put Fernwood first are not guaranteed a spot. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and caters for children aged 3 to 11, with nursery provision on site. Headteacher Ben Waldram leads a school that has clearly grown in popularity since its last full inspection, and the numbers suggest it is now one of the more sought-after primaries in Nottingham.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 180 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
26 Feb 2025Latest monitoring visit (26 Feb 2025): Standards maintained
Source: Ofsted, 9 Jul 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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