North East Essex Co-operative Academy
Walnut Tree Way, Colchester, CO2 9BSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
North East Essex Co-operative Academy is an alternative provision school in Colchester for ages 4 to 16. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 16 July 2024, report published 15 September 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 16 July 2024
Pupils are positive about their experience and the 'amazing staff' at this academy. For many it is another opportunity to learn so they can attain their next steps in education, employment or training. Staff help pupils reflect on and address the barriers that have stood in their way of securing an education previously. Through the caring support of staff, pupils learn strategies to cope and be emotionally resilient. Thus, enabling them to learn and manage their behaviour. All three settings at this academy are calm and nurturing places to be. Staff know pupils exceptionally well. They judge expertly when to help pupils try opportunities outside of their comfort zones, such as tobogganing and fossil hunting along the coast. The school tries its best to offer the educational experience of mainstream schools. This is to help pupils reintegrate back into education. Hence, primary pupils enjoy participating in forest school and secondary pupils undertake a range of sporting activities off-site, including the use of the local gym. Reflection time at the end of the school day is just one of the strategies the school uses to support pupils' mental health. Many benefits include access to walking therapy and counselling.
What the school should improve
- There is inconsistency with the development of a reading culture across the school's settings. Some older pupils have not yet formed independent reading habits. This limits their experience and enjoyment of reading for pleasure. The school should raise the profile of independent reading so that pupils have positive reading habits in preparation for adulthood.
- Some pupils do not attend school as often as they should. This means they miss out on learning aspects of the curriculum as well as the socialisation and experiences that school brings. The school should continue to implement its plans to remove the barriers to attendance that some pupils have.
Pupil numbers and mix
105 pupils on roll, with places for 196
Schools near North East Essex Co-operative Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| The St Aubyn Centre Education Department | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding |
| Westbridge Academy | 14 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| Alderwood Academy | 14 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard |
| First Base Ipswich Academy | 15 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard |
| Mid Essex Co-Operative Academy | 15 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good |
School details
- School type
- Academy alternative provision converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- KEYS CO-OPERATIVE ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 4 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Joanne Cookson
- Phone
- 01206852156
- Address
- Walnut Tree Way, Colchester, CO2 9BS
- Local authority
- Essex
- URN
- 143590
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.