St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford
Patching Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 4BSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford is a secondary school in Chelmsford for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 6th of 11 secondary schools in Chelmsford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2016.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 12 January 2016, report published 4 February 2016
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 19 June 2024
Pupils enjoy attending St John Payne Catholic School. They appreciate the exemplary support and encouragement that staff give them. The school is determined that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), succeed. Pupils are polite, tolerant and kind to each other. Most pupils behave very well. Relationships between staff and pupils are very strong. Pupils' well-being is a high priority. Pupils are encouraged to share any worries or concerns. As a result, pupils are happy and safe. They develop their resilience and are supported to persevere with their learning. Pupils build their confidence through a wide range of leadership opportunities and clubs. Pupils take on leadership roles, such as house and worship leaders and subject ambassadors. There are many events and competitions, including public speaking challenges and theatre productions. Pupils contribute to the wider community. They raise money for charity. Many volunteer at a nearby special school. Pupils attend a broad range of clubs. Pupils with SEND swim and officiate at the Olympic aquatic centre in London. Pupils' knowledge and understanding are enhanced by well-planned visits, including trips to places of worship from different faiths.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, staff do not have sufficiently high expectations of what pupils can achieve. As a result, pupils do not always gain the depth and breadth of knowledge they need to achieve highly. The school should ensure that all staff set work that meets the ambitious aims of the curriculum.
- The school's careers, education, and guidance (CEIAG) does not provide pupils with enough high-quality encounters with employers, or with opportunities to experience the world of work. This means that pupils are not always aware of the opportunities ahead of them and how to access these. The school should ensure that its CEIAG programme is developed and implemented, and its effectiveness evaluated fully, so that pupils build their knowledge and take part in meaningful work experience.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
189 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
102 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,241 pupils on roll, with places for 1,220
Schools near St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelmsford County High School for Girls | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 80.7 |
| King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford | 0.8 miles | Report card: Strong standard to exceptional | Attainment 8: 83.3 |
| The Boswells School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 48.4 |
| Chelmsford Hospital School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Outstanding | Not published |
| Chelmer Valley High School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 45.3 |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Thomas Coen
- Phone
- 01245256030
- Address
- Patching Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 4BS
- Local authority
- Essex
- URN
- 115238
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.