Colchester Academy

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Good

Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, CO4 3JLOpen in maps

Colchester Academy is a secondary school in Colchester for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 14th of 14 secondary schools in Colchester. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 8 March 2023, report published 2 May 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

201 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score38.5

38.5, 7.6 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths31.3%

31.3%, 14.1 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths50.2%

50.2%, 14.6 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc32.3%

32.3%, 8.2 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.34

3.34, 0.75 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

879 pupils on roll, with places for 910

Eligible for free school meals42.1%

42.1%, 15.6 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language17.6%

17.6%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support25.8%

25.8%, 11 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.4%

4.4%, 1.6 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Colchester Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
The Gilberd School2 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 53.4
The Trinity School2 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstandingNot published
The Sixth Form College Colchester2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Colchester Prep & High School2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 61.0
St Helena School2 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 46.0

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
PENROSE LEARNING TRUST
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mrs Jenny Betts
Phone
01206861217
Website
colchesteracademy.org.uk
Address
Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, CO4 3JL
Local authority
Essex
URN
136195

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.