St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School, Colchester

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Outstanding

Priory Street, Colchester, CO1 2QBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School, Colchester is a primary school in Colchester for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 1st of 69 primary schools in Colchester. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in November 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 7 November 2023, report published 8 February 2024

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Early years provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 November 2023

Pupils attend a school where excellence is standard. Adults expect pupils to achieve the very best. Pupils leave the school at the end of Year 6 having achieved extremely well academically, while also being well rounded young people who are ready to face the world. Pupils are polite and courteous. Classrooms are calm, yet they bubble and brim with excitement as pupils learn together. In lessons, pupils love contributing and sharing their ideas. They feel safe to do so, because they know it is okay to make a mistake and learn from it. Adults have created a climate where pupils feel safe to speak out. The very youngest children in the early years benefit from the caring and nurturing environment. They understand what school is about, learn the routines and quickly set about laying strong foundations for their future time in school. Pupils benefit strongly from the many and varied wider opportunities on offer. They sing joyfully and with gusto in the school choir, while others take on their extra responsibilities with diligence. Pupils benefit from being on the school council, becoming 'buddies' for younger pupils or working to reduce their carbon footprint. Pupils in these positions can confidently explain their part in improving the school for themselves and others.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

30 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths93%

93%, 31 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths23%

23%, 15 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score113

113, 7 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score109

109, 4 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score112

112, 7 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

209 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals6.7%

6.7%, 19.8 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language31.6%

31.6%, 10 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support8.1%

8.1%, 6.7 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan0.5%

0.5%, 5.5 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School, Colchester

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St James the Great Church of England Primary School0.2 milesOfsted: Good48% met the expected standard
St John's Green Primary School0.5 milesOfsted: Good61% met the expected standard
St. George's School0.7 milesOfsted: Good56% met the expected standard
North Primary School and Nursery0.7 milesOfsted: Good47% met the expected standard
Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery0.9 milesOfsted: Good50% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
THE ROSARY TRUST - A CATHOLIC MULTI ACADEMY
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Catholic
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Bridget Harris
Address
Priory Street, Colchester, CO1 2QB
Local authority
Essex
URN
138164

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.