Paxman Academy

Secondary
Free school
Ages 11 to 16

Ofsted: Good

Paxman Avenue, Colchester, CO2 9DBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Paxman Academy is a secondary school in Colchester for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 13th of 14 secondary schools in Colchester. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 6 February 2024, report published 13 March 2024

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 (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

175 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score41.3

41.3, 4.8 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths34.3%

34.3%, 11.1 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths48.6%

48.6%, 16.2 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc17.1%

17.1%, 23.4 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.37

3.37, 0.72 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

873 pupils on roll, with places for 900

Eligible for free school meals33.3%

33.3%, 6.8 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language14.4%

14.4%, 7.2 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support12.3%

12.3%, 2.5 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4%

4%, 2 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Paxman Academy

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Philip Morant School and College	0.6 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 44.5
Colchester County High School for Girls	0.9 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	Attainment 8: 80.6
St Benedict's Catholic College	0.9 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 54.7
St Mary's School for Girls	1 mile	No Ofsted inspection	Attainment 8: 66.5
Colchester Royal Grammar School	1 mile	Report card: Strong standard to exceptional	Attainment 8: 82.1

School details

School type: Free schools
Sector: Free school
Trust: THE SIGMA TRUST
Age range: 11 to 16
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: No
Headteacher: Mrs Debbie Kershaw
Phone: 01206413813
Website: paxmanacademy.school (opens in a new tab)
Address: Paxman Avenue, Colchester, CO2 9DB
Local authority: Essex
URN: 147080

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.