SchoolScoresThe Bridge Columbus
Special academy · All-through, ages 3 to 19
Part of THE BRIDGE MAT LTD
Patching Hall Lane, Essex, Chelmsford, CM1 4ZB
Ofsted inspection
This school hasn't had a graded Ofsted inspection yet. New schools are usually inspected within their first few years.
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
47 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
| Statement | This school | England |
|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school | 62% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school | 43% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved | 32% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 12 parents whose child had been bullied | 25% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 45 parents who had raised a concern | 33% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 47 parents of children with SEND | 40% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent | 43%said yes | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 16%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
27 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 138122), before it changed to its current form.
0% — 63 points below the Essex average, and 62 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 0% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 0% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 0% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 105 | 105 |
"Not published": No figure published.
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
18 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 138122), before it changed to its current form.
100% — 8 points above the Essex average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 100% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 37% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 0% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 100% | 100% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Essex. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
Pupils, staff and SEND
This is a special school for children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Places are arranged through the council's SEND team, not the normal admissions round.
| Pupils | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years | 35.3% | 45.9%* | 51.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan | 99.3% | 99.6%* | 99.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support | 0.7% | 0.4%* | 0.5% |
| English as an additional language | 8.7% | 4.3%* | 14.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) | 9.8% | 12.2%* | 12.8% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) | 29.8% | 34.5%* | 35.3% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 0.3 | 9.8 | 12.3 |
| Pupils suspended at least once | 0.3% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| Pupils per teacher | 7.9 | 7.1 | 6.6 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) | 1.9 | 2.4 | 2.3 |
| Teachers who left during the year | 30.9% | 16.7%* | 14.3%* |
Comparisons are with special schools. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby special schools
- The Hawthorns School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 2 expected
- The Sir Geoff Hurst Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- High Trees 0.8 miles · Independent · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- The Belsteads School 2.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Bridge Columbus's Ofsted rating?
The Bridge Columbus hasn't had a graded Ofsted inspection yet.
Would parents recommend The Bridge Columbus?
43% of the 47 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend The Bridge Columbus to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 152695.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.