Great Baddow High School
101%
Capacity
1,528
Pupils
4.6x
Demand
About Great Baddow High School
Great Baddow High School is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Chelmsford community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,528 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (101% of 1,520 places).
Ofsted has rated Great Baddow High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Paul Farmer, it falls under Essex local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.03 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 48.1. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1455th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 8th out of 12 in Chelmsford.
Great Baddow High School is a popular choice with families — it received 1,112 applications for 240 places, making it 4.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 297 were first-preference applications.
Great Baddow High School has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.7/5 from 4 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Great Baddow High School include Music Rooms, Theatre, Astro Turf, ICT Suite, Swimming Pool, Art Studios, Sixth Form Centre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Netball, Athletics, Hockey and 5 more, as well as clubs including Drama, DofE, Choir, Science Club and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 16.7%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Chelmsford, Great Baddow High School is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Duffield Road, Chelmsford, Chelmsford, CM2 9RZ |
| Headteacher | Paul Farmer |
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Number of Pupils | 1,528 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 16.7% |
| School Capacity | 1,528 / 1,520 (101% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
29 Jun 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (29 Jun 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 10 Jun 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.03)
1455th of 3,141
Nationally
162nd of 350
In East of England
8th of 12
In Chelmsford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
32.3
'22/23
33.3
'23/24
33.5
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed240
1,112
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
297 families put this school as their 1st choice (27% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Great Baddow High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Duffield Road, Chelmsford
Chelmsford, CM2 9RZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
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