The Belsteads School
Back Lane, Little Waltham, Near Chelmsford, Little Waltham, CM3 3PPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Belsteads School is a special school in Little Waltham for ages 10 to 17. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2025.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 28 January 2025, report published 3 March 2025
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 28 January 2025
The Belsteads School changes pupils' lives for the better. While their journey through school is not without the odd bump, the road ahead is much smoother. They typically join having developed negative views of education from the past. Many have not been to school for a long time. Pupils grow to see school as a place of happiness, kindness, and warmth. A place where they can be themselves and thrive. Staff want the best for pupils. These high expectations, which pupils generally rise to meet, mean that pupils learn well. Equally, they are guided to develop their social and emotional skills effectively. Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around the school is positive. If a pupil becomes frustrated or downhearted, staff step in quickly to provide useful support. Elmo and Sid, the much-loved school dogs, are always on hand to provide comfort to pupils if they are upset. Wider opportunities are plentiful. Whether sporting, gardening or craft-based, pupils take part in activities that interest them. These activities help them on their journey to aspirational careers or next steps in education. Teachers are meticulous in ensuring these opportunities are suited specifically to each individual pupil. Pupils benefit from the opportunities provided.
What the school should improve
- At times, teachers do not closely match activities to meet the specific needs of pupils. This means that, on occasions, pupils do not always learn as well as they could, because their work is too easy or too hard. The school should make sure teachers adapt the curriculum consistently and effectively for pupils' varying levels of understanding and need.
- The reading curriculum is not sequenced well enough. This means that at times, some pupils can experience a disjointed approach to reading and not learn as well as they could. The school should ensure it sequences the reading curriculum precisely so that pupils make more rapid progress in their reading.
Pupil numbers and mix
52 pupils on roll, with places for 55
Schools near The Belsteads School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lift Columbus | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| High Trees | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| The Hawthorns School | 3 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 0% met the expected standard |
| The Sir Geoff Hurst Academy | 3 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Octavia House Schools, Essex | 4 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Other independent special school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 10 to 17
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Erica Barnett
- Phone
- 01245201652
- Address
- Back Lane, Little Waltham, Near Chelmsford, Little Waltham, CM3 3PP
- Local authority
- Essex
- URN
- 144378
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.