SchoolScoresSt Benedict's Catholic College
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Norman Way, Colchester, CO3 3US
01206 549222 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 26 November 2013.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 19 July 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
180 pupils in this year group.
62% — 19 points above the Essex average, and 16 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 62% | 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. | 54.7 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.7 | 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.
176 pupils in this year group.
94% — 2 points above the Essex average, and 2 points above 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. | 94% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 13% | 37% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 56% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 20% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 94% |
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 about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 173 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 213 |
| Of those, offered a place | 142 (67%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 768 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.2
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.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 13th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 11% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6% | 22.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.3% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 9.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 87% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.8% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 85% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 86% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Lower than 84% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.9% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 95% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 20.3 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 6th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 72% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.8 | 12.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 12th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Colchester. Higher than 22% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 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
- Colchester County High School for Girls 0.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Mary's School for Girls 0.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Philip Morant School and College 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Colchester Royal Grammar School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 exceptional, 3 strong · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
- Colchester Prep and High School 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Helena School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Paxman Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Sixth Form College Colchester 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · C+ average A level grade
- Holmwood House School 1.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Stanway School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Benedict's Catholic College's Ofsted rating?
St Benedict's Catholic College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 November 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 19 July 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St Benedict's Catholic College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 62% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 16 points above the England average of 45%.
Is St Benedict's Catholic College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 213 families put St Benedict's Catholic College as their first choice for 173 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 142 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 115382.
- 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.