Lift Columbus
Catchment Area, Reviews and Key Information

Primary & Secondary
Post 16
Special school
PUPILS
286
AGES
3 - 19
GENDER
Mixed
TYPE
Academy special converter

How Does The School Perform?

Ofsted
NATIONAL AVG. 2.09
Ofsted Inspection
(20/05/2025)
Full Report - All Reports

Special schools provide a unique and distinctive educational environment to meet the needs of the pupils in their community. Undertaking standard tests may not be appropriate and we do not show performance data for special schools.

View exam results via the link below and contact the school to ask about measuring pupil progress.

A Parent's Guide to Choosing a Special School

FREE DOWNLOAD

81%
NATIONAL AVG. 93%
Happiness Rating

Ofsted Parent View

8.7:1
NATIONAL AVG. 19.9:1
Pupil/Teacher ratio
28.2%
NATIONAL AVG. 16.2%
Persistent Absence
8.7%
NATIONAL AVG. 23.4%
Pupils first language
not English
35.3%
NATIONAL AVG. 26.3%
Free school meals
0.7%
NATIONAL AVG. 15.0%
Pupils with SEN support
Oliver Way
Chelmsford
CM1 4ZB
01245491492

School Description

All pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They have significant medical and learning needs. They require a high level of bespoke care. The school has not ensured that staff have the knowledge needed to identify and act upon the specific risks that pupils face. Staff do their best to manage pupils’ safety. However, the school’s safeguarding culture and practices do not mitigate these risks. This places pupils at risk of harm. The school is experiencing a very turbulent time. This has resulted in a decline in the quality of provision. High staff turnover affects how well the curriculum is delivered. Some pupils do not access the full curriculum content, including aspects of relationships and sex education (RSE). This limits how well they achieve. This is particularly the case for sixthform students, who do not receive the quality of education they deserve. Staff changes result in some pupils’ behaviours becoming unsettled. Pupils follow a curriculum that is suited to their specific needs. They receive the necessary adaptations identified in their education and health and care (EHC) plans. However, pupils sometimes do not get the support needed to make progress academically or in their behaviour and personal development. Pupils are calm and positive with familiar adults. They enjoy swimming and yoga. Pupils like music, the outdoor play equipment and their sensory sessions. This supports their physical and mental well-being.

Lift Columbus Parent Reviews



79% Parents Recommend This School
Strongly Agree 55% Agree 26% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 5% {"strongly_agree"=>55, "agree"=>26, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>5} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
Strongly Agree 48% Agree 29% Disagree 10% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 7% {"strongly_agree"=>48, "agree"=>29, "disagree"=>10, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>7} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
Strongly Agree 26% Agree 48% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 12% {"strongly_agree"=>26, "agree"=>48, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>12} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
My Child Has Not Been Bullied 74% Strongly Agree 0% Agree 7% Disagree 2% Strongly Disagree 2% Don't Know 14% {"my_child_has_not_been_bullied"=>74, "strongly_agree"=>0, "agree"=>7, "disagree"=>2, "strongly_disagree"=>2, "dont_know"=>14} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
Strongly Agree 38% Agree 36% Disagree 12% Strongly Disagree 14% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>38, "agree"=>36, "disagree"=>12, "strongly_disagree"=>14, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
I Have Not Raised Any Concerns 21% Strongly Agree 38% Agree 12% Disagree 10% Strongly Disagree 17% Don't Know 2% {"i_have_not_raised_any_concerns"=>21, "strongly_agree"=>38, "agree"=>12, "disagree"=>10, "strongly_disagree"=>17, "dont_know"=>2} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
Strongly Agree 52% Agree 24% Disagree 12% Strongly Disagree 10% Don't Know 2% {"strongly_agree"=>52, "agree"=>24, "disagree"=>12, "strongly_disagree"=>10, "dont_know"=>2} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
Strongly Agree 14% Agree 52% Disagree 5% Strongly Disagree 10% Don't Know 19% {"strongly_agree"=>14, "agree"=>52, "disagree"=>5, "strongly_disagree"=>10, "dont_know"=>19} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
Strongly Agree 40% Agree 31% Disagree 14% Strongly Disagree 5% Don't Know 10% {"strongly_agree"=>40, "agree"=>31, "disagree"=>14, "strongly_disagree"=>5, "dont_know"=>10} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
Strongly Agree 52% Agree 29% Disagree 10% Strongly Disagree 7% Don't Know 2% {"strongly_agree"=>52, "agree"=>29, "disagree"=>10, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>2} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
Strongly Agree 36% Agree 31% Disagree 21% Strongly Disagree 5% Don't Know 7% {"strongly_agree"=>36, "agree"=>31, "disagree"=>21, "strongly_disagree"=>5, "dont_know"=>7} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
Strongly Agree 10% Agree 33% Disagree 26% Strongly Disagree 19% Don't Know 12% {"strongly_agree"=>10, "agree"=>33, "disagree"=>26, "strongly_disagree"=>19, "dont_know"=>12} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
Strongly Agree 40% Agree 40% Disagree 2% Strongly Disagree 10% Don't Know 7% {"strongly_agree"=>40, "agree"=>40, "disagree"=>2, "strongly_disagree"=>10, "dont_know"=>7} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023
Yes 79% No 21% {"yes"=>79, "no"=>21} Figures based on 42 responses up to 12-05-2023

Responses taken from Ofsted Parent View

Your rating:
Review guidelines
  • Do explain who you are and your relationship to the school e.g. ‘I am a parent…’
  • Do back up your opinion with examples or clear reasons but, remember, it’s your opinion not fact.
  • Don’t use bad or aggressive language.
  • Don't go in to detail about specific staff or pupils. Individual complaints should be directed to the school.
  • Do go to the relevant authority is you have concerns about a serious issue such as bullying, drug abuse or bad management.
Read the full review guidelines and where to find help if you have serious concerns about a school.
We respect your privacy and never share your email address with the reviewed school or any third parties. Please see our T&Cs and Privacy Policy for details of how we treat registered emails with TLC.


News, Photos and Open Days from Lift Columbus

We are waiting for this school to upload information. Represent this school?
Register your details to add open days, photos and news.

Do you represent
Lift Columbus?

Register to add photos, news and download your Certificate of Excellence 2025/26

*Official school administrator email addresses

(eg [email protected]). Details will be verified.

Questions? Email [email protected]

We're here to help your school to add information for parents.

Thank you for registering your details

A member of the School Guide team will verify your details within 2 working days and provide further detailed instructions for setting up your School Noticeboard.

For any questions please email [email protected]

Lift Columbus Catchment Area Map

This school is an academy and does not conform to the general school admission criteria set down by the Local Education Authority.