Parkwood Academy, Chelmsford

In 2025, 72% of Year 6 pupils at Parkwood Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 69% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 63% in reading and 63% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 19 families put Parkwood Academy as their first choice and 39 named it as one of their preferences, for 19 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Parkwood Academy are St Pius X Catholic Primary School (0.3 miles, 85% reading, 82% maths); Kings Road Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 76% reading, 66% maths); Newlands Spring Primary and Nursery School (0.5 miles, Good, 73% reading, 78% maths); and Lawford Mead Primary & Nursery (0.6 miles, Good, 76% reading, 71% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Parkwood Academy.

Parkwood Academy is one of 5 schools run by South Essex Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 57% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

42.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 26% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (61%), other ethnic groups (11%) and Black (10%).

In 2026, 41 pupils (20.9%) received SEN support and 5 (2.6%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

Parkwood Academy had 12 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Chelmsford Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Melbourne School (opposite), 30 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Parkwood Academy stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 207 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and drug offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Essex (97), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Parkwood Academy issued 18 suspensions, 8.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Parkwood Academy are St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford (0.4 miles); Chelmsford County High School for Girls (0.7 miles); King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford (0.8 miles); and The Boswells School (1.5 miles).