Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #62 in Essex public Top 38% UK

Colchester Academy

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

personMrs Jenny Betts

corporate_farePENROSE LEARNING TRUST

location_onColchester, CO4 3JL

language Visit Website phone 1206861217

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

897

trending_up

Attainment 8

38.5

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#64 in Essex

#2,738 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Colchester Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Colchester, serving ages 11-16. Rated Good by Ofsted.

article

School Summary

Colchester Academy is an academy sponsor led in Colchester, Essex, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of PENROSE LEARNING TRUST. The school has approximately 899 pupils on roll, of whom 44% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 38.5, placing the school #64 in Essex and #2,738 of 3,216 nationally. 31.30% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 11.0% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.4:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 25.5 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

38.5

Grade 5+ E&M

31.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)11.0%

Entering EBacc32.30%

EBacc APS3.34

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.91

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

34.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc26.80%

EBacc APS3.04

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.56

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

36.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11%

EBacc APS2.99

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.71

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

34.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc17%

EBacc APS2.85

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc10%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.28

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc12%

EBacc APS3.28

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.03

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19%

EBacc APS3.47

explore

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

85%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)74%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

83%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)75%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)15%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

84%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)71%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment10%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)15%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

84%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)16%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

82%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)73%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)14%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

08 March 2023

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

05 December 2017

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

05 May 2016

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

08 December 2015

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

13 October 2015

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

19 March 2015

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

11 November 2014

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

01 July 2014

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

08 March 2013

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

05 December 2012

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

18 October 2011

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

6 Evaluations

2023-03-08

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2017-12-05

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2016-05-05

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2015-12-08

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2015-10-13

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2014-07-01

None Legacy

Inadequate

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

Requires improvement

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

23.2%per term

warning Above Average

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

8.9%(80 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 899 pupils. During this period, there were 209 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 23.2%, which is above 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)	899	209	23.2%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	907	251	27.7%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	925	217	23.5%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	913	240	26.3%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	908	291	32.0%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	893	163	18.3%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	897	174	19.4%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	894	188	21.0%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	874	189	21.6%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	869	206	23.7%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	865	216	25.0%	4.4%	2
2020/21 (Summer term)	822	176	21.4%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	815	19	2.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	825	193	23.4%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	793	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	793	293	36.9%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	807	262	32.5%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	756	118	15.6%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	758	97	12.8%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	745	86	11.5%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	686	137	20.0%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	683	99	14.5%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	695	84	12.1%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	652	43	6.6%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	648	5	0.8%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	654	28	4.3%	3.1%	3

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

accessibility_new

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 122 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 52 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 36 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 18 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 10 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 3 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 2 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.

73.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

79.0%Positive

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

19.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree19%

agree47%

disagree18%

strongly disagree13%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree21%

agree38%

disagree21%

strongly disagree10%

don't know9%

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

strongly agree25%

agree18%

disagree15%

strongly disagree13%

don't know2%

not applicable27%

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 agree37%

agree34%

disagree16%

strongly disagree11%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree42%

agree39%

disagree11%

strongly disagree5%

don't know3%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree38%

agree44%

disagree11%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree35%

agree43%

disagree11%

strongly disagree9%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree42%

agree47%

disagree7%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree44%

agree42%

disagree4%

strongly disagree5%

don't know4%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree28%

agree37%

disagree13%

strongly disagree10%

don't know13%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes73%

no27%

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

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