Market Field School and College, Colchester
Market Field School and College is a special school for pupils aged 5 to 19 in Colchester, part of Hope Learning Community. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in October 2019. That was 6 years ago, so the rating may not reflect the school today.
- Ofsted
- Good (2019)
Data last updated 2 Oct 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoThis judgement is from October 2019, 6 years ago. Ofsted's routine cycle for graded inspections is about 4 years, so it is older than the normal interval - the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Sixth Form
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its October 2019 inspection - down from Outstanding.
Rated Outstanding for
Personal development.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Leadership & management.
At a Glance
44.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
Market Field School and College in detail
Market Field School and College in its own words
In its own words: "Each and every day we are lucky enough and have the privilege of working with the most amazing, unique children who never fail to inspire, interest and educate us in ways we could never have imagined."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
The trust
Market Field School and College is one of 4 schools run by Hope Learning Community, an academy trust.
Where pupils go next
Of the 48 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2022/23, 92% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 13% to a further education college.
Source: DfE destination measures
Who goes there
44% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 2.4% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2025 school census.
Almost every pupil at Market Field School and College has an education, health and care plan (502 of 502 in 2025). The most common need among them is autism.
Source: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics
Staff and funding
Market Field School and College employed 61 teachers in 2024. Their average salary was £44,081.
Source: DfE school workforce census; ESFA funding allocations
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Alresford (Essex) Rail Station, about 1.8 miles away.
3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Chapel Ln (opposite), 110 metres away.
Source: NaPTAN (Department for Transport). Straight-line distances.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Market Field School and College stands in is among the 50% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 8th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 20 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Essex (98).
Source: English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2023/24, Market Field School and College issued 9 suspensions, 1.9 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.
Source: DfE exclusions statistics
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Class Sizes
0.0
Avg class size
0
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Latest from Market Field School and College
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Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
231%
Over capacity
519 pupils
225 capacity
294 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Colchester
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Colchester
Admissions Demand - Essex
Places available
17,590
Applications
16,568
Got 1st preference
83.4%
Got preferred school
97.0%
Secondary admissions across Essex (2026/27)
Inspection History(2)
House Prices
Moving into the catchment? See what homes near this school actually cost
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
502
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2025 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2025 academic year
Key Indicators
502
Total Pupils
372
Boys
130
Girls
2025 academic year
Workforce
61
Teachers
8.5:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£44,081
Mean salary
2024 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
10.44587%
Overall absence
31.5508%
Persistent absence
374
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Market Field School and College
Questions parents ask about Market Field School and College
What are GCSE results like at Market Field School and College?
In the 2025 results, pupils at Market Field School and College achieved an Attainment 8 score of 0.7. 0% passed GCSE English and maths at grade 5 or above.
Source: DfE school performance data
What is Market Field School and College's Ofsted rating?
Market Field School and College was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in October 2019. That inspection was 7 years ago, so the rating may not reflect the school as it is now. An inspection judges the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
Source: Ofsted
What is the catchment area for Market Field School and College?
No fixed boundary. When Market Field School and College is oversubscribed, Essex allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Market Field School and College?
Market Field School and College has around 502 pupils on roll. 44% are eligible for free school meals, which is the usual measure of disadvantage in a school's intake.
Source: DfE school census
What is attendance like at Market Field School and College?
10.4% of sessions were missed at Market Field School and College in 2024/25. 31.6% of pupils were persistently absent, meaning they missed at least 10% of sessions.
Source: DfE absence statistics
How do I apply to Market Field School and College?
Apply through Essex's coordinated admissions process, naming Market Field School and College on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
Where is Market Field School and College?
Market Field School and College is at School Road, Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7ET.
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