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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Not judgedURN 137241

Thurstable School

Academy converter · Colchester · CO5 0EW

Ages 11–16 · 932 pupils · Essex

School website

Ofsted

Not judged

Attainment 8

44.7

Overall absence

7.5%

Admissions demand

0.96 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

Not judged

Inspection date

2025-05-20

Overall effectiveness
Not judged
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 8-0.19
−20+2
Attainment 844.7
English & maths grade 5+49%
English & maths grade 4+65%
EBacc entry54%

EBacc APS: 4.2

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence7.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)19.8%
Unauthorised2.0%
Authorised absence
5.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.3%
Enrolments in measure
1,049

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.96 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

183

Places offered

194

1st-preference offers

183

Total preferences (any rank)
395
Preferred offers (top 3)
191
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill73%

932 pupils · 1,275 places

Pupils on roll
932
Boys / girls
458 / 474
School capacity
1,275
Capacity fill
932 / 1,275 (73%)
Free school meals
18.5%
FSM pupils
172
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

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: THURSTABLE SCHOOL
Academy trust
THURSTABLE SCHOOL
Headteacher
Mr James Ketley

Location

Address
Maypole Road, Tiptree
Postcode
CO5 0EW
Town
Colchester
County
Essex
Local authority
Essex
District
Colchester
Constituency
Witham
Urban/rural
Larger rural: 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 converter (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Colchester, Essex, 932 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 18.5%.

Open schools in Colchester
103
Secondary schools in Colchester
15
Academies among open schools in Colchester
43% (44)
Open schools in CO5
12
Secondary in CO5
1
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 CO5

  • Milldene Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Colchester · CO5 0EF · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS277%
    • Absence5.4%
    • FSM22.7%
    • Demand0.86

    0.2 miles away

  • Baynards Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Community school · Primary

    Colchester · CO5 0ND · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS273%
    • Absence6.7%
    • FSM41.8%
    • Demand0.92

    0.3 miles away

  • Messing Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Colchester · CO5 9TH · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS236%
    • Absence5.0%
    • FSM16.9%
    • Demand1.75

    0.9 miles away

  • Tiptree Heath Primary School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Colchester · CO5 0PG · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS280%
    • Absence6.0%
    • FSM12.1%
    • Demand0.75

    1.0 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr James Ketley
Telephone
01621816526
Website
http://www.thurstable.co.uk

Official links