Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #24 in Essex public Top 17% UK

The Stanway School

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

personMr Jonathan Bland

corporate_fareTHE SIGMA TRUST

location_onColchester, CO3 0QA

language Visit Website phone 1206575488

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2017

groups

Students

1,401

trending_up

Attainment 8

48.2

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#23 in Essex

#1,185 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Stanway School is a Academy converter secondary school in Colchester, serving ages 11-16. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

The Stanway School is an academy converter in Colchester, Essex, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of THE SIGMA TRUST. The school has approximately 1,383 pupils on roll, of whom 15% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 48.2, placing the school #23 in Essex and #1,185 of 3,216 nationally. 54.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 20.0% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2017. The school's current overall rating is Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.8:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 5.0 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

48.2

Grade 5+ E&M

54.40%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)20.0%

Entering EBacc34.90%

EBacc APS4.25

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41.60%

EBacc APS4.17

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.13

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS4.05

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.08

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc44%

EBacc APS4.45

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc37%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.13

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS4.25

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc35%

EBacc APS4.1

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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

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

06 June 2023

Inspection Report

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14 March 2017

Inspection Report

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01 May 2013

Inspection Report

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10 August 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2017-03-14

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-05-01

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2010-06-30

None EIF

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

5.3%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.7%(37 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 1,383 pupils. During this period, there were 73 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 5.3%, 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)	1,383	73	5.3%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,400	67	4.8%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,395	47	3.4%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,394	23	1.6%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,389	84	6.0%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,401	68	4.9%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,401	67	4.8%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,394	43	3.1%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,396	35	2.5%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,397	21	1.5%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,395	28	2.0%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,350	18	1.3%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,356	2	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,353	21	1.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,323	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,323	19	1.4%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,320	19	1.4%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,266	18	1.4%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,267	24	1.9%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,266	12	0.9%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,212	14	1.2%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,217	15	1.2%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,209	18	1.5%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,151	17	1.5%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,152	6	0.5%	3.3%	0
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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 66 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 51 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 36 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 12 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 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.

75.0%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.

16.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree25%

agree44%

disagree15%

strongly disagree10%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree10%

agree46%

disagree27%

strongly disagree14%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree25%

agree28%

disagree16%

strongly disagree12%

don't know2%

not applicable17%

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

yes21%

no79%

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

strongly agree14%

agree22%

disagree29%

strongly disagree24%

dont know10%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree29%

agree46%

disagree15%

strongly disagree6%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree30%

agree44%

disagree16%

strongly disagree7%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree24%

agree51%

disagree17%

strongly disagree7%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree39%

agree55%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree41%

agree50%

disagree3%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree21%

agree44%

disagree15%

strongly disagree12%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes72%

no28%

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