SchoolScoresPaxman Academy
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of THE SIGMA TRUST
Paxman Avenue, Colchester, CO2 9DB
01206 413813 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 February 2024.
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.
What parents say
207 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Colchester comparisons use the 8 of its 16 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 8 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Colchester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 7th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Colchester. Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 82% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Colchester. Higher than 19% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 85% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Colchester. Higher than 17% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 78% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 95 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 7th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Colchester. Higher than 14% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 34% | 50% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 151 parents who had raised a concern 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Colchester. Higher than 21% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56% | 72% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Colchester. Higher than 19% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62%said yes | 78% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Colchester figures pool parents at the Colchester schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
175 pupils in this year group.
34% — 9 points below the Essex average, and 11 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 34% | 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. | 41.3 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.4 | 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.
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 | 174 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 104 |
| Of those, offered a place | 104 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 494 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.6 · 2026: 0.6
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 3rd highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 32.6% | 22.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 78% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.4% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.5% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 57% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1% | 9.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 52% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.2% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 59% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.8% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 78% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.6% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.34% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 8th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 69% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.7 | 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 Joint 2nd highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 70% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1% | 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
- Philip Morant School and College 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Benedict's Catholic College 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Colchester County High School for Girls 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Mary's School for Girls 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Colchester Royal Grammar School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 exceptional, 3 strong · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
- Colchester Prep and High School 1.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Stanway School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Thomas Lord Audley School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025 · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Sixth Form College Colchester 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · C+ average A level grade
- St Helena School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Paxman Academy's Ofsted rating?
Paxman Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 February 2024.
How did Paxman Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 34% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Paxman Academy?
62% of the 207 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Paxman Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Paxman Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 104 families put Paxman Academy as their first choice for 174 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 104 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 147080.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.