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OpenSecondaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 137874

The Boswells School

Academy converter · Chelmsford · CM1 6LY

Ages 11–18 · 1,423 pupils · Essex

Ofsted

School remains Good

Attainment 8

46.4

Overall absence

9.6%

Admissions demand

0.95 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-04-26

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.16
−20+2
Attainment 846.4
English & maths grade 5+48%
English & maths grade 4+67%
EBacc entry30%

EBacc APS: 4.1

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence9.6%
Persistent absence (10%+)26.9%
Unauthorised1.5%
Authorised absence
8.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
5.0%
Enrolments in measure
1,234

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.95 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

221

Places offered

245

1st-preference offers

201

Total preferences (any rank)
853
Preferred offers (top 3)
245
Applications from outside LA
2
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill99%

1,423 pupils · 1,431 places

Pupils on roll
1,423
Boys / girls
719 / 704
School capacity
1,431
Capacity fill
1,423 / 1,431 (99%)
Free school meals
16.4%
FSM pupils
199
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: THE CHELMSFORD LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Academy trust
THE CHELMSFORD LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Sponsor
The Chelmsford Learning Partnership
Headteacher
Mr Stephen Mansell

Location

Address
Burnham Road
Postcode
CM1 6LY
Town
Chelmsford
County
Essex
Local authority
Essex
District
Chelmsford
Constituency
Chelmsford
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Chelmsford, Essex, 1,423 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 16.4%.

Open schools in Chelmsford
84
Secondary schools in Chelmsford
10
Academies among open schools in Chelmsford
48% (40)
Open schools in CM1
33
Secondary in CM1
6
Open schools in Essex LA
612
Secondary in Essex LA
79

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

  • Academy converter · Secondary

    Chelmsford · CM1 7ER · Essex

    Ages 11–18

    • Att846.2
    • P80.3
    • EM5+42%
    • Absence6.5%

    1.8 miles away

  • Academy converter · Secondary

    Chelmsford · CM2 9ES · Essex

    Ages 11–18

    • Att856.4
    • P80.7
    • EM5+63%
    • Absence5.5%

    2.3 miles away

  • Great Baddow High School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Chelmsford · CM2 9RZ · Essex

    Ages 11–18

    • Att848.1
    • P80.0
    • EM5+47%
    • Absence6.6%

    2.5 miles away

  • Hylands School

    Ofsted: Urgent improvement

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Chelmsford · CM1 3ET · Essex

    Ages 11–18

    • Att832.6
    • P8-0.9
    • EM5+25%
    • Absence12.7%

    2.6 miles away

  • The Sandon School

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Chelmsford · CM2 7AQ · Essex

    Ages 11–18

    • Att849.3
    • P80.1
    • EM5+53%
    • Absence9.0%

    2.6 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Stephen Mansell
Telephone
01245264451

Official links