Paxman Academy
Colchester, CO2 9DB · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
44th of 78 secondary schools in Essex we can score, 81 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.1/10 against 702 of them, against 3.2/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 36.4 · 28 | 30% | 0.85 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.17 · 37 | 25% | 0.93 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.4 · 31 | 10% | 0.31 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Paxman Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 34.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.17 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 873 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific strategies are in place to improve Progress 8 scores for students with similar backgrounds? How does the school manage class sizes given the current proximity to its 900-place capacity?
What Ofsted said about Paxman Academy
Overview
Paxman Academy is described as a "vibrant community" where pupils "enjoy attending" due to a wide range of clubs, trips, and leadership opportunities. The school fosters a "caring ethos," supporting military families and disadvantaged pupils while delivering an "ambitious curriculum" that builds on prior learning.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well planned," with staff ensuring learning "builds on what they have learned before" and explaining concepts clearly to develop confidence.
- Reading support is effective, with staff precisely identifying gaps; "most pupils experience success and have confidence with reading."
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is "remarkably well" delivered following extensive staff training and team expansion.
- Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is "comprehensive," covering topics such as consent and online safety, alongside a "wide-ranging careers programme."
- Trustees provide "strong oversight" with a "sharp focus on equalities," ensuring the school remains inclusive and staff feel "looked after and valued."
Areas to improve
- The school should ensure key values from the Paxman Aspire curriculum are fully understood by all pupils to maintain positive behaviour, particularly when taught by non-regular staff.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.4 |
| 2024/25 | 41.3 |
| 2025/26 | 42.4 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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