Opened in 1972, it has grown to accommodate a broad and successful curriculum including a specialism in STEM (science, technology and maths) and the Arts.

Ferndown Upper School achieved high academic success with the best results for GCSE progress in Dorset.

This was to ensure equal access to all students and to build upon the excellent record that Ferndown Upper had of delivering Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Nigel Smart - Professor of Cryptography The school has expanded its specialism into a broad but specialist digital technology curriculum that now even goes beyond the classroom.

[6] In January 2020 the department's fernDOWNLOAD Robotics club became regional champions in the FIRST Tech Challenge competition (Season 19/20).