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William de Ferrers School

Chelmsford, CM3 5JUSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
4 Good · 1 Requires improvement
Sep 2024
Progress 8
-0.41
Below average
−20+2
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
202 1st-choice / 216 places
Ranking
#2,474
of 3,141 nationally

About William de Ferrers School

William de Ferrers School is a large mixed secondary and sixth form in Chelmsford, part of the Essex local authority. In the most recent Progress 8 rankings across Essex, it sits 57th out of 86 same-type schools, placing it in the bottom half of the county. For context, the top-performing peers in the area include King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, Colchester Royal Grammar School, and Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School, all of which achieve well above average Progress 8 scores. William de Ferrers’ own Progress 8 score of -0.41 is below the Essex average of -0.18, and the school ranks 10th out of 12 schools within Chelmsford itself. Its most recent Ofsted inspection judged the school as Requires Improvement overall, though inspectors rated behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision all as Good.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressTrinity Square, Chelmsford, Chelmsford, CM3 5JU
HeadteacherJames Donaldson
Local AuthorityEssex
Number of Pupils1,247
Free School Meals (FSM)14.1%
School Capacity1,247 / 2,076 (60% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 159 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 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

24 Sept 2024
View Report
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 20 Oct 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

11
TheatreArt StudiosDining HallTennis CourtsSixth Form CentreSwimming PoolAstro TurfGymnasiumMusic RoomsSports HallICT Suite

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

14

Sports

TennisCross CountryBadmintonAthleticsRugbyHockeyFootballDanceBasketball

Clubs & Activities

Duke of EdinburghEco ClubYoung EnterpriseModel United NationsDebate

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultySevere LearningProfound LearningMulti-SensoryOther

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About William de Ferrers School

William de Ferrers School has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.