St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford
Chelmsford, CM1 4BS · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
22nd 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 the 818 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.8/10 among them, against 5.6/10 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 | 46.2 · 53 | 30% | 1.60 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.1 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.7 · 64 | 10% | 0.64 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.1 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.7 out of 10 among them, against 6.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join football, rugby, cricket, basketball, dance, netball, gymnastics, and orienteering clubs. Year 7 visits Ingatestone Hall, Year 8 attends the Chelmsford Skills Festival, and Year 9 undertakes a D Of E practice expedition.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,241 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,220. 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the D Of E expeditions structured for Year 9?
What Ofsted said about St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford
Overview
St John Payne Catholic School continues to be a good school, where pupils enjoy attending and feel happy and safe. The report highlights strong relationships between staff and pupils, with a clear focus on well-being and resilience. While the curriculum is broadly effective, there are specific areas regarding teacher expectations and career guidance that require attention.
Strengths
- Staff provide "exemplary support and encouragement," fostering a culture where pupils are "polite, tolerant and kind."
- The curriculum is well-designed, with subject leaders carefully sequencing topics so pupils can "move confidently on to the next."
- Teachers use regular checks to identify and close gaps in knowledge, ensuring pupils build a "rich body of knowledge."
- Reading is prioritised through initiatives like "drop everything and read," helping weaker readers become "increasingly fluent and accurate."
- Pupils feel valued in a "welcoming and inclusive family," actively challenging unkind behaviour and contributing to the wider community.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, staff expectations are not high enough, meaning work is "not always sufficiently demanding" and pupils miss out on necessary depth and breadth of knowledge.
- The careers programme lacks "high-quality encounters with employers" and first-hand work experience, limiting pupils' awareness of future opportunities.
- Some teachers do not follow the behaviour policy consistently, which can be frustrating for pupils who strive to meet high standards.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 49.8 |
| 2024/25 | 49.9 |
| 2025/26 | 48.7 |
| 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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