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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Not judgedURN 136605

William de Ferrers School

Academy converter · Chelmsford · CM3 5JU

Ages 11–18 · 1,237 pupils · Essex

School website

Ofsted

Not judged

Attainment 8

41.2

Overall absence

10.9%

Admissions demand

0.89 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Not judged

Inspection date

2024-09-24

Overall effectiveness
Not judged
Quality of education
Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.41
−20+2
Attainment 841.2
English & maths grade 5+39%
English & maths grade 4+61%
EBacc entry16%

EBacc APS: 3.4

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence10.9%
Persistent absence (10%+)31.5%
Unauthorised4.2%
Authorised absence
6.7%
Severe absence (50%+)
5.2%
Enrolments in measure
1,163

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

0.89 · Often has places

1st preferences

170

Places offered

216

1st-preference offers

170

Total preferences (any rank)
385
Preferred offers (top 3)
194
Applications from outside LA
1
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
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 fill60%

1,237 pupils · 2,076 places

Pupils on roll
1,237
Boys / girls
623 / 614
School capacity
2,076
Capacity fill
1,237 / 2,076 (60%)
Free school meals
13.9%
FSM pupils
152
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 James Donaldson

Location

Address
Trinity Square, South Woodham Ferrers
Postcode
CM3 5JU
Town
Chelmsford
County
Essex
Local authority
Essex
District
Chelmsford
Constituency
Maldon
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, 1,237 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 13.9%.

Open schools in Chelmsford
84
Secondary schools in Chelmsford
10
Academies among open schools in Chelmsford
48% (40)
Open schools in CM3
28
Secondary in CM3
1
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.

Compare with theseAll in ChelmsfordNear CM3

  • Elmwood Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Foundation school · Primary

    Chelmsford · CM3 5NB · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS264%
    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM9.7%
    • Demand1.12

    0.3 miles away

  • Collingwood Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Foundation school · Primary

    CHELMSFORD · CM3 5YJ · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS255%
    • Absence5.2%
    • FSM14.4%
    • Demand0.93

    0.3 miles away

  • Woodville Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Chelmsford · CM3 5SE · Essex

    Ages 5–11

    • KS274%
    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM5.6%
    • Demand0.98

    0.7 miles away

  • Riverside Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Hullbridge · SS5 6ND · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS262%
    • Absence4.9%
    • FSM14.0%
    • Demand1.19

    1.3 miles away

  • Rettendon Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Chelmsford · CM3 8DW · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • FSM15.3%

    2.7 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr James Donaldson
Telephone
01245326326
Website
http://www.wdf.school

Official links