Beaulieu Park School, part of Chelmsford Learning Partnership, has welcomed its first cohort of Year 12 students this year, making it Essex’s first all-through free school for students aged 4 – 18.
As the school welcomes 93 students to its Sixth Form, a £3.15m two-story Sixth Form centre is due to open in September 2025 to accommodate approximately 200 additional students. The school’s expansion is rooted in providing an all-through education for local children, enabling the development of strong relationships with teachers and preparing them well for higher education.
The proposed Sixth Form expansion coincides with the opening of the school’s additional satellite primary school site, which will ensure that the school can meet local demand for 120 reception places each year.
James Donaldson, Executive Headteacher at Beaulieu Park School, said: “We are proud to be offering Essex’s first free all-through education. This development means that students can reap the benefits high-quality learning at every stage of their educational journey. We are committed to creating an inspiring environment for every student, no matter the age, helping them nurture their abilities to ensure they reach their full potential.”
Paul Banks, Chief Executive Officer at the Chelmsford Learning Partnership said: “Beaulieu Park School represents a significant milestone for the Chelmsford wider Essex community and our trust. As the first all-through free school in the county, it embodies our commitment to providing an exception, seamless education journey from early years to Sixth Form. We are proud to have supported the school’s expansion through our centralised support network at the trust and we look forward to continuing to ensure the delivery of quality education to our expanding school roster.”
Beaulieu Park School opened for reception and primary pupils in 2018, before welcoming its first secondary school student cohort the following year. It currently provides 570 places for local children aged 4 to 11, and 930 places for those aged 11 to 16.
