King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 10 February 2026
Results
Compared with the local authority and England
KS4 Results
Attainment and progress
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 83.3 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 100% | 43% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 100% | 64% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 100% | 59% | 60% |
English Baccalaureate
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 99% | 39% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 8.2 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Based on 150 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 1,138
- Capacity
- 1,142
- Girls / boys
- 7% / 93%
- Free school meals
- 2%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65.1
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 5.7
- Leadership (FTE)
- 4.8
- Part-time teachers
- 52%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
97%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
94%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
186 responses up to 6 April 2026 · 16% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
97% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
98% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
97% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
50% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
77% agree
Questions about King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
What is King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted inspected King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford on 10 February 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Exceptional for achievement and for post-16 provision; Strong standard for curriculum and teaching, for inclusion, for leadership and governance, for personal development and wellbeing and for attendance and behaviour.
How do I apply for a place at King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford?
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day. King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford is a grammar school, so your child must also sit its entrance test, usually in September of Year 6. You register for the test separately, normally in the summer term of Year 5.
Does living near King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford guarantee a place?
No. Distance only counts when King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. As a grammar school, it only offers places to children who reach the pass mark in its entrance test. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford?
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford had 1,138 pupils aged 11 to 18 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,142. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.
