Free schools special
Chelmsford · CM1 2XT · Essex
Ages 7–16
- FSM71.2%
0.1 miles away
OpenOfsted: Expected standardURN 149335
The Hawthorns School
Free schools special · Chelmsford · CM1 2XT
Ages 7–16 · 69 pupils · Essex
Ofsted
Expected standard
Overall absence
5.3%
Ofsted
Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.
Headline
Expected standard
Inspection date
2026-01-06
- AchievementExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- InclusionStrong standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Safeguarding standards: Met
Performance
Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.
Key stage 2 (2023/24)
Absence
Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.
Overall absence5.3%
Persistent absence (10%+)8.0%
Unauthorised0.0%
- Authorised absence
- 5.3%
- Severe absence (50%+)
- 0.0%
- Enrolments in measure
- 25
Absence trend
2022/23
2023/24
- Overall
- Persistent (10%+)
Size & intake
From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).
Capacity fill99%
69 pupils · 70 places
- Pupils on roll
- 69
- Boys / girls
- 59 / 10
- School capacity
- 70
- Capacity fill
- 69 / 70 (99%)
- Free school meals
- 23.2%
- FSM pupils
- 16
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Gender
- Mixed
- School type
- Free schools special
Age range
Ages 7–16
05111619
Provision
Official GIAS characteristics
1 / 6
- Nursery
- Sixth form
- Boarding
- Special school
- Independent
- Academy
School characteristics
- Governance
- Academy trust: SEAX TRUST
- Academy trust
- SEAX TRUST
- Sponsor
- SEAX Trust
- Headteacher
- Miss Hayley Kersey
Location
- Address
- Thornhurst Road
- Postcode
- CM1 2XT
- Town
- Chelmsford
- 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 free schools special, Ages 7–16, in Chelmsford, Essex, 69 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 23.2%.
Nearby schools
Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.
Kings Road Primary School
Ofsted: GoodAcademy converter · Primary
Chelmsford · CM1 2BB · Essex
Ages 4–11
- KS263%
- Absence7.6%
- FSM34.0%
- Demand0.78
0.4 miles away
Parkwood Academy
Ofsted: Requires improvementAcademy sponsor led · Primary
Chelmsford · CM1 2DX · Essex
Ages 3–11
- KS237%
- Absence5.6%
- FSM44.9%
- Demand0.90
0.4 miles away
Tanglewood Nursery School
Ofsted: Standards maintainedLocal authority nursery school · Nursery
Chelmsford · CM1 2DX · Essex
Ages 2–5
- FSM0.0%
0.5 miles away
Lawford Mead Primary & Nursery
Ofsted: GoodAcademy converter · Primary
Chelmsford · CM1 2JH · Essex
Ages 3–11
- KS257%
- Absence7.1%
- FSM37.5%
- Demand1.00
0.5 miles away
Maltese Road Primary School
Ofsted: School remains GoodAcademy sponsor led · Primary
Chelmsford · CM1 2PA · Essex
Ages 4–11
- KS267%
- Absence4.9%
- FSM12.8%
- Demand1.10
0.5 miles away
St Pius X Catholic Primary School
Ofsted: Standards maintainedAcademy converter · Primary
Chelmsford · CM1 4HY · Essex
Ages 5–11
- KS265%
- Absence4.6%
- FSM23.7%
- Demand0.85
0.5 miles away
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
Ofsted: ExceptionalAcademy converter · Secondary
Chelmsford · CM1 3SX · Essex
Ages 11–18
- Att883.7
- P81.1
- EM5+99%
- Absence4.3%
0.6 miles away
New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.
Contact
- Headteacher
- Miss Hayley Kersey
- Telephone
- 01245207607