Market Field School
School Road, Elmstead Market, Colchester, CO7 7ETOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Market Field School is a special school in Colchester for ages 5 to 19. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 16 October 2019, report published 13 November 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 11 October 2023
Market Field School is a welcoming, friendly community. Pupils appreciate how well adults support their varying needs. The school gives pupils, including those students in the sixth- form college, a positive start to life. Pupils access well-considered curriculum pathways that are suited to their needs and interests. Pupils and students in both the school and the college achieve a raft of suitable qualifications. These build their independence, confidence and prepare them well for life beyond the school. Adults typically deal with pupils' behaviour and complex emotions well. Pupils' well-being is prioritised using appropriate therapies. Learning is not often disrupted. Pupils are respectful and considerate to each other's differences and boundaries. Pupils learn how to keep safe online or when in the community. On the playground, pupils engage in activities that mean they mix and cooperate with each other well. Pupils benefit from a broad selection of interesting clubs and activities. This helps pupils to put their learning into practise. In addition, a high-quality careers curriculum and work experience in the sixth form provide a positive 'springboard'. This guides students well towards appropriate further education and employment.
What the school should improve
- Some areas of the curriculum are currently being renewed and refined. The curriculum thinking is either only just in place or being planned and rewritten. Therefore, in these curriculum areas, some pupils are not securing the knowledge they need to achieve well. The school should ensure all curriculum areas have the required detailed knowledge explicitly outlined, so teachers are clear about what to teach and when.
- The improved behaviour policy is not well embedded in all school practice. Some staff are getting to grips with the best approaches to de-escalate challenging behaviour. As a result, incidents like physical interventions are only just starting to reduce. The school should ensure that all staff know and understand the most effective processes to de- escalate challenging behaviour to maintain a calm learning environment for all.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
27 pupils took the tests
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
47 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
519 pupils on roll, with places for 225
Schools near Market Field School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingswode Hoe School | 5 miles | Report card: Strong standard | 0% met the expected standard |
| Langham Oaks | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 4.6 |
| Lexden Springs School | 7 miles | Ofsted: Inadequate | Not published |
| The Haefen Independent Special School | 7 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Compass Community School Essex | 7 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy special converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- HOPE LEARNING COMMUNITY
- Age range
- 5 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Ruth Whitehead
- Phone
- 01206825195
- Address
- School Road, Elmstead Market, Colchester, CO7 7ET
- Local authority
- Essex
- URN
- 143589
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.