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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 136195

Colchester Academy

Academy sponsor led · Colchester · CO4 3JL

Ages 11–16 · 879 pupils · Essex

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

34.9

Overall absence

15.2%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-03-08

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

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.91
−20+2
Attainment 834.9
English & maths grade 5+22%
English & maths grade 4+37%
EBacc entry27%

EBacc APS: 3.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence15.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)42.5%
Unauthorised7.1%
Authorised absence
8.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
9.3%
Enrolments in measure
978

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill97%

879 pupils · 910 places

Pupils on roll
879
Boys / girls
446 / 433
School capacity
910
Capacity fill
879 / 910 (97%)
Free school meals
42.1%
FSM pupils
370
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: PENROSE LEARNING TRUST
Academy trust
PENROSE LEARNING TRUST
Headteacher
Mrs Jenny Betts

Location

Address
Hawthorn Avenue
Postcode
CO4 3JL
Town
Colchester
County
Essex
Local authority
Essex
District
Colchester
Constituency
Colchester
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Colchester, Essex, 879 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 42.1%.

Open schools in Colchester
103
Secondary schools in Colchester
15
Academies among open schools in Colchester
43% (44)
Open schools in CO4
22
Secondary in CO4
3
Open schools in Essex LA
612
Secondary in Essex LA
79

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in ColchesterNear CO4

  • The Gilberd School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Colchester · CO4 9PU · Essex

    Ages 11–16

    • Att851.5
    • P80.4
    • EM5+55%
    • Absence7.3%

    1.7 miles away

  • The Trinity School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Free schools · Secondary

    Colchester · CO4 6ED · Essex

    Ages 11–16

    • Absence8.6%
    • FSM16.3%

    1.8 miles away

  • St Helena School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Colchester · CO3 3LE · Essex

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.6
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+32%
    • Absence7.3%

    2.2 miles away

  • Colchester Royal Grammar School

    Ofsted: Exceptional

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Colchester · CO3 3ND · Essex

    Ages 11–18

    • Att883.4
    • P81.1
    • EM5+100%
    • Absence5.2%

    2.3 miles away

  • The Thomas Lord Audley School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Colchester · CO2 8NJ · Essex

    Ages 11–16

    • Att840.5
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+38%
    • Absence8.1%

    2.4 miles away

  • St Benedict's Catholic College

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Voluntary aided school · Secondary

    Colchester · CO3 3US · Essex

    Ages 11–16

    • Att853.5
    • P80.2
    • EM5+61%
    • Absence6.6%

    2.8 miles away

  • Philip Morant School and College

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Colchester · CO3 4QS · Essex

    Ages 11–18

    • Att845.6
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+48%
    • Absence7.3%

    3.0 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Jenny Betts
Telephone
01206861217
Website
http://www.colchesteracademy.org.uk/

Official links