Which is the best secondary school in Colchester?

By 2024/25 exam results alone, Colchester Royal Grammar School ranks first of 14 ranked secondary schools in Colchester, with an average Attainment 8 score of 82.1. Results reflect each school's cohort as well as its teaching, so treat the ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict.

How are schools in Colchester ranked?

Secondary schools are ranked by their average Attainment 8 score in 2024/25, from the Department for Education's published results; Progress 8 is suspended nationally, so it cannot be used. Ofsted judgements are never part of the ranking, because inspections from different eras cannot fairly be compared, and special and independent schools are not ranked because their published figures do not compare fairly.

How many secondary schools are ranked in Colchester?

14 secondary schools in Colchester published 2024/25 results and are ranked here. Schools without published results, special schools and independent schools are listed on the area's own page instead.

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Secondary school rankings

Secondary schools in Colchester, ranked

The 14 secondary schools here are ranked by their average Attainment 8 score in 2024/25, from the Department for Education's published results. Progress 8 is suspended nationally for 2024/25 and 2025/26, so it cannot be used.

Exam results are one part of the picture, and rankings never include Ofsted judgements: inspections from different eras cannot fairly be compared. Special schools and independent schools are not ranked, because their published figures do not compare fairly either. Each school's own page has its inspection history and context.

1
Colchester Royal Grammar School
Academy converter

100%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

82.1

Attainment 8
2
Colchester County High School for Girls
Academy converter

100%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

80.6

Attainment 8
3
St Benedict's Catholic College
Voluntary aided school

62%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

54.7

Attainment 8
4
The Gilberd School
Academy converter

58%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

53.4

Attainment 8
5
The Stanway School
Academy converter

54%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

48.2

Attainment 8
6
East Bergholt High School
Academy converter

48%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

47.8

Attainment 8
7
Honywood School
Academy converter

48%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

46.3

Attainment 8
8
St Helena School
Academy converter

36%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

46.0

Attainment 8
9
Philip Morant School and College
Academy converter

37%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

44.5

Attainment 8
10
Colne Community School
Academy converter

40%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

43.0

Attainment 8
11
The Thomas Lord Audley School
Academy converter

42%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

42.3

Attainment 8
12
Thurstable School
Academy converter

42%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

41.9

Attainment 8
13
Paxman Academy
Free schools

34%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

41.3

Attainment 8
14
Colchester Academy
Academy sponsor led

31%

grade 5+ in Eng and maths

38.5

Attainment 8

Common questions

Which is the best secondary school in Colchester?: By 2024/25 exam results alone, Colchester Royal Grammar School ranks first of 14 ranked secondary schools in Colchester, with an average Attainment 8 score of 82.1. Results reflect each school's cohort as well as its teaching, so treat the ranking as a starting point rather than a verdict.
How are schools in Colchester ranked?: Secondary schools are ranked by their average Attainment 8 score in 2024/25, from the Department for Education's published results; Progress 8 is suspended nationally, so it cannot be used. Ofsted judgements are never part of the ranking, because inspections from different eras cannot fairly be compared, and special and independent schools are not ranked because their published figures do not compare fairly.
How many secondary schools are ranked in Colchester?: 14 secondary schools in Colchester published 2024/25 results and are ranked here. Schools without published results, special schools and independent schools are listed on the area's own page instead.

Exam results come from the Department for Education's school performance service and cover the 2024/25 academic year. Schools without published results for that year are not listed.