SchoolScoresColchester Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of PENROSE LEARNING TRUST
Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, CO4 3JL
01206 861217 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 8 March 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
201 pupils in this year group.
31% — 12 points below the Essex average, and 14 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 31% | 43% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 38.5 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
151 pupils in this year group.
85% — 7 points below the Essex average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 85% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 2% | 37% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 28% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 44% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 83% | 85% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Essex. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 160 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 105 |
| Of those, offered a place | 105 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 238 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.7
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 82% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 44.0% | 22.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 72% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.5% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2% | 9.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 15th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 3% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 15th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 7% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 36.5% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 15th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 69.3 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 15th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.1% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.33% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 15th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 24% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.5 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 14th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3 | 12.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 64% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9% | 13.3%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Gilberd School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed 2025 · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Trinity School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- The Sixth Form College Colchester 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · C+ average A level grade
- Colchester Prep and High School 2.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Helena School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Colchester Royal Grammar School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 exceptional, 3 strong · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Thomas Lord Audley School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025 · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Mary's School for Girls 2.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Benedict's Catholic College 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Colchester County High School for Girls 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Colchester Academy's Ofsted rating?
Colchester Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 March 2023.
How did Colchester Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 31% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 14 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Colchester Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 105 families put Colchester Academy as their first choice for 160 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 105 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 136195.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.