St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 19 June 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 | 49.9 | 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 | 51% | 43% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 76% | 64% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 68% | 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 | 10% | 39% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Based on 189 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 1,210
- Capacity
- 1,220
- Girls / boys
- 50% / 50%
- Free school meals
- 17%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 62.5
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 12.8
- Leadership (FTE)
- 6.8
- Part-time teachers
- 27%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
91%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
148 responses up to 7 April 2025 · 13% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
93% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
94% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
92% agreeMy child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.
73% agreeThe school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.
80% agree
Questions about St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford
What is St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford's Ofsted rating?
St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford's last overall grade from Ofsted was Good, on 12 January 2016. Ofsted inspected it again on 19 June 2024 without giving a new overall grade.
How do I apply for a place at St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford?
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 John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford 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. As a Roman Catholic school it may also ask for a supplementary form, and its admissions policy says whether it does.
Does living near St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford guarantee a place?
No. Distance only counts when St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its governing body, 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. As a Roman Catholic school, it can give priority to children on grounds of faith. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford?
St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford had 1,210 pupils aged 11 to 18 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,220. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.
