Colchester Royal Grammar School
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 14 April 2026
Previous inspections
- 14 April 2026School inspectionReport cardReport
Results
Compared with the local authority and England
KS4 Results
Attainment and progress
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 82.1 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 100% | 43% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 100% | 64% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 100% | 59% | 60% |
English Baccalaureate
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 77% | 39% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 7.8 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Based on 128 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Colchester Royal Grammar School's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. As a Christian school, it can give priority to children on grounds of faith. As a grammar school, it only offers places to children who reach the pass mark in its entrance test. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
Colchester Royal Grammar School is in Essex council's area. Check its admissions booklet for how far away places went in recent years. For a Year 7 place, apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6.
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 1,073
- Capacity
- 777
- Girls / boys
- 14% / 86%
- Free school meals
- 5%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63.8
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 2.7
- Leadership (FTE)
- 4
- Part-time teachers
- 26%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
95%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
94%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
243 responses up to 7 September 2026 · 23% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
95% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
96% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
91% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
74% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
84% agree
Questions about Colchester Royal Grammar School
What is Colchester Royal Grammar School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted inspected Colchester Royal Grammar School on 14 April 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Exceptional for achievement, for curriculum and teaching, for leadership and governance and for post-16 provision; Strong standard for inclusion, for personal development and wellbeing and for attendance and behaviour.
How do I apply for a place at Colchester Royal Grammar School?
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if Colchester Royal Grammar School is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day. Colchester Royal Grammar School is a grammar school, so your child must also sit its entrance test, usually in September of Year 6. You register for the test separately, normally in the summer term of Year 5. As a Christian school it may also ask for a supplementary form, and its admissions policy says whether it does.
What is the catchment area for Colchester Royal Grammar School?
Colchester Royal Grammar School's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. As a Christian school, it can give priority to children on grounds of faith. As a grammar school, it only offers places to children who reach the pass mark in its entrance test. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at Colchester Royal Grammar School?
Colchester Royal Grammar School had 1,073 pupils aged 11 to 18 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 777. It is a boys' school with a sixth form.
