Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #12 in Essex public Top 8% UK

St Benedict's Catholic College

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

personMrs J E Santinelli

location_onColchester, CO3 3US

language Visit Website phone 1206549222

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

887

trending_up

Attainment 8

54.7

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#12 in Essex

#502 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

St Benedict's Catholic College is a Voluntary aided school secondary school in Colchester, serving ages 11-16. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.1×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

St Benedict's Catholic College is a voluntary aided school in Colchester, Essex, admitting pupils aged 11-16. The school has approximately 891 pupils on roll, of whom 13% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 54.7, placing the school #12 in Essex and #502 of 3,216 nationally. 61.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 25.0% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2018. The school's current overall rating is Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.1× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 20.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 1.4 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

54.7

Grade 5+ E&M

61.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)25.0%

Entering EBacc45.00%

EBacc APS4.72

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.23

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc46.40%

EBacc APS4.7

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.39

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc50%

EBacc APS4.75

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.3

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc58%

EBacc APS4.92

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc52%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.25

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc79%

EBacc APS4.64

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.16

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc62%

EBacc APS4.56

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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

94%

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

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

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

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

18 July 2023

Inspection Report

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07 February 2018

Inspection Report

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26 November 2013

Inspection Report

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12 January 2012

Inspection Report

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30 June 2010

Inspection Report

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27 January 2009

Inspection Report

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01 November 2006

Inspection Report

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07 May 2002

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2018-02-07

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-11-26

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2012-01-12

None EIF

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

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

1.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.5%(13 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 891 pupils. During this period, there were 13 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.5%, 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)	891	13	1.5%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	886	11	1.2%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	893	10	1.1%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	898	25	2.8%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	899	18	2.0%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	889	10	1.1%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	887	5	0.6%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	897	19	2.1%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	881	17	1.9%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	879	10	1.1%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	876	16	1.8%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	879	9	1.0%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	886	2	0.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	888	4	0.5%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	878	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	878	5	0.6%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	874	8	0.9%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	862	6	0.7%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	861	10	1.2%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	865	4	0.5%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	854	2	0.2%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	854	4	0.5%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	853	10	1.2%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	844	15	1.8%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	843	12	1.4%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	845	11	1.3%	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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psychology_alt

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 60 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 27 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 22 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 17 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 13 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 13 pupils

Physical Disability 11 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

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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.

90.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

90.0%Positive

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

17.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree53%

agree36%

disagree7%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree32%

agree33%

disagree25%

strongly disagree7%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree37%

agree24%

disagree9%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

not applicable23%

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

yes28%

no72%

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

strongly agree35%

agree22%

disagree28%

strongly disagree9%

dont know6%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree50%

agree34%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree48%

agree39%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree45%

agree36%

disagree12%

strongly disagree6%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree45%

agree43%

disagree7%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree52%

agree42%

disagree5%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree45%

agree33%

disagree11%

strongly disagree3%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes89%

no11%

Top Secondary Schools in Essex

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

Outstanding

location_on Chelmsford, CM1 3SX

emoji_events #1 in LA

Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Chelmsford, CM1 1RW

emoji_events #2 in LA

Colchester Royal Grammar School

Inadequate

location_on Colchester, CO3 3ND

emoji_events #3 in LA

Colchester County High School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Colchester, CO3 3US

emoji_events #4 in LA

Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School

Good

location_on Brentwood, CM14 4EX

emoji_events #5 in LA

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)

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