The short version
Below-average GCSE results. At capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2023).
- GCSE results are below the national average (Attainment 8: 38.5 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2023
- This school does not have a sixth form
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
38.5
5.3 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
31%
10.5pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
32%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
85%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
74%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
5%
Employment
Directly into work
5%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
9%
Based on 151 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 26 days per year on average — over a month of school.
36% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
9% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 18 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 10 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 86 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 899
- Capacity
- 99%
- FSM
- 40.8%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Essex
- Trust
- PENROSE LEARNING TRUST
- Head
- Mrs Jenny Betts (Principal)
Provisions
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection: Good
11 official reports linked on this page, including 10 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Full inspection: Good
December 2017 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
May 2016 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
December 2015 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
October 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
March 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
November 2014 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Inadequate
July 2014 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
March 2013 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
December 2012 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
October 2011 | Monitoring Visit
Location
Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3JL
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmHazelmere Junior School
Primary · Very close
Hazelmere Infant School and Nursery
Primary · Very close
Roach Vale Primary School
Primary · 388m away
Parsons Heath Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Primary · 588m away
Unity Primary Academy
Primary · 760m away
Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery
Primary · 1.1km away
Friars Grove Primary School
Primary · 1.3km away
St John's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Colchester
Primary · 1.9km away
Questions parents ask
Is Colchester Academy a selective school?
No. Colchester Academy is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Colchester Academy's Ofsted rating?
Colchester Academy was rated Good at its most recent inspection in March 2023. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Colchester Academy?
Colchester Academy currently has 899 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Colchester Academy take?
Colchester Academy caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Colchester Academy?
Colchester Academy is in Colchester, CO4 3JL, in the Essex local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
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