Thriftwood School

  • Special
  • Academy
  • Ages 5 to 19
Ofsted judgements: Outstanding

Slades Lane, Galleywood, Chelmsford, CM2 8RWOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Thriftwood School is a special school in Chelmsford for ages 5 to 19. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in July 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 15 July 2025, report published 7 September 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Sixth form provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 15 July 2025

Pupils thrive at this welcoming school. They feel and are safe, valued and understood. Staff know pupils well. They respond sensitively to pupils' individual needs. This deep sense of safety and belonging helps pupils to engage confidently with school life. Pupils are rightly proud to go here. Ambitious and flexible teaching supports pupils to get the most out of their lessons. Pupils are enthusiastic and show real pride in their progress. Pupils recall what they have been taught. They explain how adults help them to improve. Pupils' success takes many forms. This includes becoming fluent readers, confident communicators, taking part in community projects, workplace experiences and gaining a range of qualifications. Behaviour is calm and positive. Pupils understand expectations, reflect on choices and develop self-regulation over time. This is due to the school's consistent approach to teaching social skills, highly positive relationships and the importance of working towards important goals. Pupils listen carefully to their teachers. They work hard and are quick to praise each other's efforts. Across both school sites, pupils experience rich and varied opportunities for personal growth. The school ensures that these activities are meaningful and inclusive, building over time. Pupils can also take on roles of responsibility. They help to shape school life.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

14 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 62 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Pupil numbers and mix

279 pupils on roll, with places for 266

Eligible for free school meals53%

53%, 26.5 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language3.9%

3.9%, 17.7 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Thriftwood School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Octavia House Schools, Essex2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
High Trees3 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
The Sir Geoff Hurst Academy3 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
The Hawthorns School3 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard0% met the expected standard
Clarity Independent School3 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published

School details

School type
Academy special converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
SEAX TRUST
Age range
5 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Headteacher
Georgina Pryke
Address
Slades Lane, Galleywood, Chelmsford, CM2 8RW
Local authority
Essex
URN
137554

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.