St Helena School
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 30 January 2024
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 | 46.0 | 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 | 36% | 43% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 60% | 64% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 57% | 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 | 42% | 39% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Based on 204 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 987
- Capacity
- 1,000
- Girls / boys
- 50% / 50%
- Free school meals
- 29%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 58.8
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 10.8
- Leadership (FTE)
- 9.6
- Part-time teachers
- 23%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
71%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
98 responses up to 6 January 2025 · 10% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
73% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
76% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
68% agreeMy child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.
34% agreeThe school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.
62% agree
Questions about St Helena School
What is St Helena School's Ofsted rating?
St Helena School was graded Good at its last Ofsted inspection, on 30 January 2024.
How do I apply for a place at St Helena 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 St Helena 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.
Does living near St Helena School guarantee a place?
No. Distance only counts when St Helena School has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at St Helena School?
St Helena School had 987 pupils aged 11 to 16 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,000. It is a mixed school with no sixth form, so students move on at 16.
Nearby secondary schools
Colchester Royal Grammar School
Academy converter
0.6 miles away
Colchester County High School for Girls
Academy converter
0.9 miles away
St Benedict's Catholic College
Voluntary aided school
0.9 miles away
Philip Morant School and College
Academy converter
1.2 miles away
Paxman Academy
Free schools
1.8 miles away