Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #17 in Essex public Top 16% UK

St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Thomas Coen

location_onChelmsford, CM1 4BS

language Visit Website phone 1245256030

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2016

groups

Students

1,197

trending_up

Attainment 8

49.9

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GCSE Rank

#16 in Essex

#945 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford is a Voluntary aided school secondary school in Chelmsford, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford is a voluntary aided school in Chelmsford, Essex, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,210 pupils on roll, of whom 18% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 49.9, placing the school #16 in Essex and #945 of 3,216 nationally. 50.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 22.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 24 A-level subjects. 44.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 15.4% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.14 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2016. The school's current overall rating is Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 19.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.0 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

49.9

Grade 5+ E&M

50.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)22.3%

Entering EBacc10.10%

EBacc APS4.12

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.1

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc9.90%

EBacc APS4.02

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc12%

EBacc APS3.91

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.27

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc25%

EBacc APS4.63

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc9%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.19

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc16%

EBacc APS4.28

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc14%

EBacc APS4.29

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.14

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*3.7%

Achieving A*–A15.4%

Achieving A*–B44.0%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate98.8%

A-level subjects offered24

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.1

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate96.80%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate93.90%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate98.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

19 June 2024

Inspection Report

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16 October 2019

Inspection Report

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12 January 2016

Inspection Report

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23 November 2011

Inspection Report

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06 October 2009

Inspection Report

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20 November 2008

Inspection Report

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06 December 2007

Inspection Report

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05 October 2005

Inspection Report

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11 October 1999

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2016-01-12

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2011-11-23

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

4.1%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.1%(26 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,210 pupils. During this period, there were 50 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.1%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,210	50	4.1%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,213	46	3.8%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,180	35	3.0%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,178	29	2.5%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,183	40	3.4%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,192	36	3.0%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,197	37	3.1%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,188	29	2.4%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,197	23	1.9%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,194	43	3.6%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,189	27	2.3%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,196	30	2.5%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,195	8	0.7%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,194	40	3.4%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,138	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,138	24	2.1%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,142	35	3.1%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,111	9	0.8%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,107	11	1.0%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,115	11	1.0%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,124	23	2.0%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,126	12	1.1%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,126	16	1.4%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,146	11	1.0%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,142	47	4.1%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,149	14	1.2%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 37 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 25 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 24 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 23 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 17 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 10 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

92.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

94.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

33.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree53%

agree39%

disagree3%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree34%

agree46%

disagree17%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree49%

agree20%

disagree3%

strongly disagree5%

don't know1%

not applicable22%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes24%

no76%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree40%

agree37%

disagree6%

strongly disagree17%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree61%

agree30%

disagree7%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree61%

agree29%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree61%

agree31%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree53%

agree42%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

don't know3%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree60%

agree34%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree55%

agree30%

disagree6%

strongly disagree4%

don't know5%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes91%

no9%

Top Secondary Schools in Essex

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

Outstanding

location_on Chelmsford, CM1 3SX

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Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Outstanding

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Colchester Royal Grammar School

Inadequate

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Colchester County High School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Colchester, CO3 3US

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Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School

Good

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Saffron Walden County High School

Outstanding

location_on Saffron Walden, CB11 4UH

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Essex arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Roman Catholic)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Essex

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Colchester Royal Grammar School

Colchester County High School for Girls

Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School

Saffron Walden County High School