The Hawthorns School
Free schools special · Ages 7–16 · Chelmsford, Essex
The Hawthorns School is a special school in Chelmsford, Essex for ages 7–16 (free schools special).
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Key facts
- Address
- Thornhurst Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2XT
- Type
- Free schools special
- Ages
- 7–16
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Council
- Essex
- Pupils on roll
- 69 January 2026 school census
- Free school meals
- 23.2% of pupils eligible
- Pupils per teacher
- 6.5
Official record: Get Information about Schools · as at 15 September 2026
Ofsted
No Ofsted grade Inspected 6 January 2026
Strengths
- “Due to the high-quality inclusion work of the school, pupils are engaged and positive learners.”
- “Their needs are well-known and consistently met by the school.”
- “Pupils’ learning is well matched to their needs.”
To improve
- “On some occasions, due to their complex sensory needs, pupils experience anxiety.”
- “On the small number of occasions that teaching is not as consistent, pupils do not learn as well as they could.”
- “Where some staff are still gaining expertise and knowledge, delivery of the curriculum is, on a small number of occasions, less consistent.”
Safeguarding: met
Quoted from the Ofsted report published 12 February 2026 (read the report). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Exam results
| Measure | School | England |
|---|---|---|
| Key stage 2 · reading, writing and maths, expected standard (2024/25) | 0% | 62% |
Department for Education school performance data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
What a pass unlocks for The Hawthorns School
- Earlier exam results, 2022/23 to 2023/24
- Crime, sold prices and rents, broadband and transport around the school
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Nearby special, independent and other schools
Straight-line distance, in Essex.
- The Sir Geoff Hurst Academy 0.1 mi No Ofsted grade
- Lift Columbus 0.8 mi No Ofsted grade
- High Trees 0.9 mi No Ofsted grade
- St Anne's School 1.2 mi No Ofsted grade
- St Cedd's School 1.2 mi No Ofsted grade
- Chelmsford Hospital School 1.6 mi No Ofsted grade
- Widford Lodge School 1.6 mi No Ofsted grade
- The Beaulieu Park School 2.3 mi Outstanding Last distance published