Wells Park School, Chigwell
Wells Park School is a special school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Chigwell, part of The Beckmead Trust.
Data last updated 1 Nov 2026
Wells Park School in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Wells Park School are New Rush Hall School (1.2 miles, Outstanding); St John's RC School (Essex) (1.6 miles, Good); Luxborough Court School (1.9 miles, Good); and Little Heath School (2.2 miles, Good).
New Rush Hall SchoolSt John's RC School (Essex)Luxborough Court SchoolLittle Heath School
The trust
Wells Park School is one of 12 schools run by The Beckmead Trust, an academy trust.
What parents say
11 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Wells Park School (as of September 2025): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (91%).
Who goes there
60.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 1.6% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (84%) and Mixed (10%).
Almost every pupil at Wells Park School has an education, health and care plan (61 of 61 in 2026). The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.
Wells Park School provides for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
Getting there
The nearest Underground station is Grange Hill Underground Station, about 680 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).
3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is High View School Lane (adjacent), 230 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 174 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Essex (97), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
Wells Park School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Wells Park School has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in June 2022. Before that, as Wells Park School (URN 115450), it was rated Outstanding in June 2012.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's May 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Wells Park School excels at creating a nurturing environment where every pupil is believed in and has high expectations placed on them. Teachers use effective strategies to check understanding and adapt learning, ensuring all pupils achieve well from their starting points. The school offers a well-designed enrichment programme including hands-on experiences like caring for school farm animals, helping pupils develop important life skills alongside their academic learning.
Key Strengths
- Well-planned, ambitious curriculum adapted to meet individual pupil needs at different stages of development
- Strong focus on early reading with high-quality phonics teaching and rapid support for pupils who fall behind
- Exemplary behaviour fostered through clear routines, consistent expectations and warm staff relationships
- Meaningful enrichment programme including school farm activities that develops responsibility and connects to curriculum learning
- Positive attendance with staff working actively with families to remove barriers
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff being vigilant, approachable and well trained.
Extracurricular Activities
School farm activities, assemblies, clubs, classroom discussions
Wells Park School is a vibrant, aspirational special school where pupils flourish in a nurturing and supportive environment. The school has maintained the outstanding standards identified at its previous inspection.
At a Glance
60.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
SEMH
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
11 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 24% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 17% to 10% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 8% to 0% (2024 to 2025).
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from Wells Park School
Ian Mikardo High School Significant Changes & Wells Park School Significant Changes
11 Jun 2026
Pupils at The Flagship School celebrate Children's International Film Festival success picking up three major awards
11 Jun 2026
Bringing Generations Together
10 Jun 2026
Headteacher, Tracey Plane, completes the London Marathon
12 May 2026
Flagship School achieves Ofsted milestone, marking a “New Chapter” under The Beckmead Trust
14 Apr 2026
Harlow MP Chris Vince visits Beckmead Moundwood Academy and praises ambitious local students
1 Apr 2026
From Wells Park School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Wells Park School
Before and after school care
Wells Park School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school. Source: Free breakfast clubs: schools on the programme, Department for Education Free breakfast clubs in Essex
Nurseries
The nearest nurseries and pre-schools to Wells Park School, with their latest published grades:
- Linnet Montessori Grange Hill - Pre-school, 0.3 milesOfsted, 9 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Hainault Forest Community Association - Day nursery, 0.5 milesOfsted, 21 July 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- Busy Bees Christian Pre-School Nursery - Pre-school, 0.6 milesOfsted, 7 September 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
- One Learning Tuition-Hainault, Ilford - Pre-school, 0.6 miles
- All Saints Pre School - Pre-school, 0.7 milesOfsted, 23 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Getting There
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Wells Park School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Wells Park School is in Essex; for families living there:
- Essex's school travel policy: Education Transport Policy
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 10
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 5
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 10 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 5 slight.
The typical figure for schools in Essex is 9 (the median across 614 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight are DfT estimates (severity adjustment). Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
87%
Available places
61 pupils
70 places
9 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Across Essex council
Places available
17,590
Applications
16,568
Got 1st preference
83.4%
Got preferred school
97.0%
All secondary applications across Essex council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History
Ungraded inspection: Standards have been maintained.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
61
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Wells Park School provides for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
61
Total Pupils
60
Boys
1
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
8
Teachers
7.6:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£55,751
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
11.5%
Overall absence
38.1%
Persistent absence
21
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Wells Park School
What are SATs results like at Wells Park School?
Of the pupils at Wells Park School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 24% reached the expected standard in reading and 10% did so in maths.
What is Wells Park School's Ofsted rating?
Wells Park School has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in June 2022. Before that, as Wells Park School (URN 115450), it was rated Outstanding in June 2012.
How many pupils go to Wells Park School?
Wells Park School has around 61 pupils on roll. 61% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Wells Park School have specialist SEN provision?
Wells Park School provides for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
What is attendance like at Wells Park School?
11.5% of sessions were missed at Wells Park School in 2024/25. 38.1% of pupils were persistently absent.
Does Wells Park School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Wells Park School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026).
How many road collisions happen near Wells Park School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 10 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 5 slight. The typical figure for schools in Essex is 9 (the median across 614 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Wells Park School?
Wells Park School is at School Lane, Lambourne Road, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6NN.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)