Writtle College Limited, Chelmsford

Post-16

Further education

Mixed

Ages 16–99

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

View on Google Maps

Key Information

DfE GIAS

Head:Philip Grant

LA:Essex

Phone:01245424200

Website:aru.ac.uk/writtle-college

Address:Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, CM1 3RR

Area:Schools in CM1

Status:open

Opened:1 March 2024

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 1 year ago

Overall

Good

Quality of Education

Good

Behaviour & Attitudes

Good

Personal Development

Good

Leadership & Management

Inspected 6 May 2025View full report

URN:150975

UKPRN:10094574

Diocese:Not applicable

Constituency:North West Essex

Urban/Rural:Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

Writtle College creates a supportive learning environment where students thrive with expert, industry-experienced teachers. The college excels at supporting students with high needs, offering tailored academic and pastoral support that helps even those who struggled in previous settings make good progress. Students gain valuable real-world experience through work placements, community contributions and enrichment activities that prepare them well for their future careers.

Key Strengths

Students and apprentices are keen to learn in calm, respectful environments where they feel confident expressing their views
Teachers are professionally qualified and experienced, many continuing to work in industry to keep their knowledge current
Students with high needs receive tailored academic and pastoral support and make good progress
Apprenticeship curriculums are effectively developed in partnership with employers, with clear connections between theory and practice
Students develop strong work-related skills through placements and enrichment activities like work experience and community contributions

Areas for Improvement

Equine students do not consistently develop practical yard-based skills to meet workplace expectations
Teachers do not consistently use formative feedback to help students identify what they need to improve, particularly in equine and some classroom sessions
Some subjects lack sufficient employer and stakeholder involvement in curriculum design
Mathematics lesson planning needs review
In a small proportion of lessons, teachers do not consistently check prior knowledge before introducing new content

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is effective. Students and apprentices know how to keep themselves safe and are confident reporting concerns, though some need deeper understanding of local risks and dangers of radicalisation relevant to their sector.

Extracurricular Activities

Fitness sessions for local primary school pupils and people with Alzheimer's disease, work placements, horse-riding shows, flower shows, zoo visits, lambing, floristry arrangements in local church, raised bed gardening for small animals

Writtle College Limited is a newly established further education college offering courses in sport, agriculture, horticulture, animal studies, equine studies, wildlife conservation and floristry. The college was rated Good across all areas of inspection.