The Ferrers School Review 2026: Community Ambition in Higham Ferrers

The Ferrers School serves as a vital educational hub for Higham Ferrers and the surrounding Rushden area. Operating as a coeducational academy for students aged 11 to 18, the school has undergone a significant cultural shift since joining the Meridian Trust in 2019. This transition has embedded a structured environment built on the trust's core values of Achievement, Opportunity, and Environment. With a capacity of 1,100 students, the school is large enough to offer a diverse curriculum while maintaining a house system that ensures individual students do not get lost in the crowd. Currently rated Good by Ofsted, the school is noted for its calm corridors and the high expectations set by leadership. While academic performance at GCSE and A-level remains below the England average, the school provides a stable and supportive platform for local students to pursue both academic and vocational pathways.

The atmosphere at The Ferrers School is defined by a sense of orderly purpose. Upon arrival, the tone is set by the "Ferrers Way," a set of clear expectations for students to be ready, respectful, and safe. This emphasis on "getting the little things right" has transformed the school's culture, leading to a settled environment where students feel secure. The campus combines original 1980s buildings with more recent additions, including a dedicated sixth form centre that provides older students with their own professional space.

Mrs Clare Raku has led the school as Principal since September 2024, having previously served as a senior leader within the school and the Meridian Trust. Her leadership continues the work of establishing consistency in teaching and strengthening pastoral ties. The school's identity is deeply rooted in its house system, with students belonging to one of five houses: Brunel, Franklin, Turing, Woolf, and the newly established House that supports the growing student body. These houses act as small communities, fostering a sense of belonging and healthy competition through various inter-house events.

In the secondary phase, The Ferrers School ranks 1st in Rushden for GCSE outcomes according to FindMySchool rankings. However, this local lead must be viewed in the context of broader performance; the school ranks 2,785th in England for GCSEs, placing it in the below England average tier. The Attainment 8 score of 39.4 is lower than the England average, and the Progress 8 score of -0.28 indicates that students typically make slightly less progress than peers with similar starting points nationwide. In 2024, 14.3% of students achieved grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate, compared to the England average of 40.5%.

At A-level, the school sits at 2,102nd in England and 2nd in Rushden for outcomes in the FindMySchool proprietary rankings. In the 2024 results, 36% of entries achieved A* to B grades, which is below the England average of 47.2%. While the school outperforms several nearby providers, the published figures suggest that pushing more students into the highest grade brackets remains a priority for the academic team.

The curriculum is broad, balancing traditional academic subjects with a growing suite of vocational options. In the lower years, there is a clear focus on reading and core literacy; Ofsted recently highlighted that the school has prioritised reading through structured programmes and regular staff-led reading sessions. Teachers are encouraged to work collaboratively, an approach that has had a positive impact on the consistency of the student experience.

The Sixth Form provision, which became more independent in its structure in September 2023, offers a mix of A-levels and professional qualifications. The introduction of T-Levels, specifically in Education and Early Years, demonstrates the school's commitment to providing industry-standard pathways. Small class sizes in the post-16 phase allow for more frequent interaction between students and subject specialists, which students value for personal academic support.

Where Students Go Next

University remains the primary destination for leavers, with 55% of the 2024 cohort progressing to higher education. Popular choices include local and regional institutions such as the University of Northampton and the University of Leicester. However, the school also sees a significant number of students moving into alternative routes: 23% entered direct employment and 9% secured apprenticeships.

This diverse range of outcomes is supported by a dedicated careers team and an independent advisor. Students receive guidance starting in Year 8 to help them navigate their "Guided Pathways" for GCSEs, with the focus shifting toward UCAS or apprenticeship applications in the Sixth Form. The school's connection with local employers through the Meridian Trust further aids those seeking non-university routes.

Admissions for Year 7 are coordinated by North Northamptonshire Council. The school is consistently oversubscribed; in the most recent intake, there were 289 applications for 172 offers, representing a subscription proportion of 1.68. This level of demand means that nearly two families applied for every available place, making entry competitive for those living outside the immediate vicinity.

Places are allocated according to the local authority's criteria, which prioritise looked-after children and siblings. For remaining applicants, distance from the school gates is the deciding factor. Families should consult the FindMySchool Map Search to check their distance relative to previous intake patterns. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Pastoral care is a clear strength, built into the house system that serves as the school's heartbeat. Every student spends time each day with their tutor, who acts as the first point of contact for both academic and personal issues. This system ensures that staff know their students well and can identify emerging problems early.

The school maintains a relentless focus on attendance and behaviour. Each house has a dedicated Student Support Assistant to manage daily issues and provide a bridge between home and school. This approach has led to a significant fall in the number of sanctions issued, as routines and expectations have become more established. The personal development programme is also notable, featuring visitors and workshops that address a range of contemporary topics.

Extracurricular life is framed by the Meridian Trust's PLEDGES programme, which rewards students for participation across seven areas: Participation, Leadership, Environment, Diversity, Giving, Excellence, and Service. This system encourages students to broaden their horizons beyond the standard curriculum.

STEM

The school has a growing reputation for STEM engagement. The Formula 24 Greenpower project is a highlight, where students design and build electric racing cars, competing at national circuits. This provides hands-on experience in engineering and project management. Other clubs, such as "Meccatronix" and various coding groups, offer further technical challenges for interested students.

Sport is also a key pillar, with facilities including a large sports hall and outdoor courts that host a range of inter-house and inter-school fixtures. The school's history as a Specialist Arts College still influences its creative output, with regular drama productions and art exhibitions providing platforms for creative expression.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm. The site is accessible via several local bus routes, though many students from Higham Ferrers and Rushden arrive on foot or by bicycle. For families seeking wraparound care, it is important to note that while Higham Ferrers Junior and Infant schools offer "The Treehouse Club" for younger children, The Ferrers School does not operate a formal after-school club for older students. However, many extracurricular clubs run until 4:00pm or 4:30pm.

• Entry Competition: With a subscription proportion of 1.68, the school is very popular. Families not living in the immediate Higham Ferrers or Rushden area may find it difficult to secure a place during the main intake.
• Academic Context: While the school ranks 1st locally for GCSEs, overall performance sits below the England average. Parents should weigh the school's strong pastoral and behavioural environment against these academic benchmarks.
• Sixth Form Scale: While the Sixth Form offers a supportive environment, it is smaller than large city colleges. This results in a close-knit feel but may limit the range of niche subject combinations available.
• Trust Influence: As part of the Meridian Trust, the school follows trust-wide policies on everything from behaviour to the curriculum. This brings stability and shared resources but means the school operates within a larger corporate framework.

The Ferrers School is a rapidly improving academy that offers a highly structured and supportive environment for its students. It has successfully moved past previous challenges to become a school where behaviour is a strength and students are encouraged to be ambitious through the PLEDGES system. It is best suited to local families who value a strong pastoral house system and a clear, consistent approach to behaviour. While the challenge remains to raise academic results in line with England averages, the school provides a safe and purposeful environment for students to grow. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.