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Chelmer Valley High School

Chelmsford, CM1 7ERSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Jun 2023
Progress 8
+0.25
Above average
−20+2
Competition
0.8×
Not oversubscribed
197 1st-choice / 231 places
Ranking
#940
of 3,141 nationally

About Chelmer Valley High School

Chelmer Valley High School sits within the Essex local authority, a mixed state secondary for pupils aged 11 to 18. In the Chelmsford area specifically, it ranks 5th out of 12 schools of its type, placing it comfortably in the top half of local secondaries. Its closest high-performing peers include King Edward VI Grammar School, Colchester Royal Grammar School, and Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School, though these are selective or faith-based schools with different admissions criteria. Across the wider Essex authority, Chelmer Valley ranks 13th out of 86 similar schools, and the nearest school rated Outstanding by Ofsted is The Beaulieu Park School, just 2.4 kilometres away. The school itself has held a Good rating from Ofsted since at least 2013, and its most recent graded inspection in June 2023 confirmed that rating across every category, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and sixth-form provision.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressCourt Road, Chelmsford, Chelmsford, CM1 7ER
HeadteacherTom Sparks
Local AuthorityEssex
Number of Pupils1,155
Free School Meals (FSM)18.7%
School Capacity1,155 / 1,168 (99% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

13 Jun 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 12 Sept 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

7
Sixth Form CentreMusic RoomsSports HallTheatreSwimming PoolAstro TurfLibrary

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

13

Sports

TennisNetballGymnasticsSwimmingBasketballCricket

Clubs & Activities

OrchestraDramaBook ClubEco ClubModel United NationsFilm ClubYoung Enterprise

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyMulti-SensoryOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Chelmer Valley High School

Chelmer Valley High School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.