CCHS is blessed to be a diverse, linguistically rich and socially inclusive school community.
Chelmsford County High School (CCHS) is a leading academic community, inspired to excellence in education and opportunity for girls.
CCHS was formally opened on 1st May 1907, with 76 inspiring students on roll, to provide girls with an academic education.
Now in 2026, there are 1,285 extraordinary girls and young women, representing cultures and traditions from the world over, who are part of our ambitious school community, committed to excellence in girls’ education and empowerment.
As founding members of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS), we are dedicated to a thriving global network of more than 580 girls’ schools across 28 countries, representing over 350,000 girls and young women.
Girls have two opportunities to be welcomed to the CCHS community:
- age 11 (Year 7 and onwards) via the CCHS Entrance Test
- age 16 (Year 12 and onwards) via GCSE public examinations
Our commitment to excellence in girls’ education and empowerment is compellingly demonstrated by the wealth of accomplishments achieved by our students and staff:
- “Outstanding” OFSTED (2024)
- Top 20 nationally in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide (2026, 2025, 2024, 2023)
- Mental Health School Gold Award from the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools
- Young Carers Award from The Children’s Society and the Carers Trust
- NACE Challenge Award from the National Association for Able Children in Education
- Artsmark Gold Award from Arts Council England
- Music Mark from The UK Association for Music Education
- PTI Subject Awards (English and Mathematics) from The Prince’s Teaching Institute
- Isaac Science School Award from the University of Cambridge and The Ogden Trust
CCHS is animated by a passion for learning, bonded by civility and enriched by our community.
We amplify and so fortify our School vision and aims, as well as pursue links between academic disciplines, to cultivate core values, which direct and drive our work. These values form our educational covenant with our community:
CITIZENSHIP Inspire future citizens to think for themselves and to act for others. (Amplification of School Vision: ‘Developing the leaders of tomorrow’)
DISTINCTION Students will be provided with an outstanding education and we expect them to do their best in all endeavours. (Amplification of School Aim 1: ‘The pursuit of excellence’)
CHALLENGE Students will be stimulated to acquire new knowledge & understanding and motivated to develop new skills & attributes. (Amplification of School Aim 2: ‘Fulfilling individual potential’)
DUTY Students will conduct themselves with civility and compassion at all times, supporting each other and looking beyond themselves. (Amplification of School Aim 3: ‘Contributing to the community’)
IMAGINATION Enable students to explore new ideas and empathise with the thinking of others, without limitation or risk. (English, Sport and Arts subjects)
ENLIGHTENMENT Equip students with the insight and determination to embrace new ideas, technology and innovation, enabling them to contribute to the ever-changing natural and physical world around them. (Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences subjects)
DIVERSITY Provide students with the tools to respect and celebrate the great diversity of cultures, backgrounds and beliefs, within and beyond the School, whilst recognising that we have more in common than that which divides us. (Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences subjects)
We work hard to provide our students with a safe, caring and stimulating learning environment, as we write the next chapter in the life of CCHS. This is both our obligation and privilege as we serve and innovate in the spirit of our School motto: Vitai Lampada Ferimus (We Bear the Torch of Life). Please view our promotional films below for an insight into life at CCHS. To understand more about the power and importance of girls’ schools, please view the short films below from ICGS.
Mr Stephen Lawlor, Headteacher
BA (Hons), PGCE, PGCPSE, NPQH, FCoT
