The Stanway School
Colchester, CO3 0QA · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
20th 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 810 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.4/10 among them, against 6.1/10 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 | 51.6 · 66 | 30% | 1.99 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.07 · 55 | 25% | 1.38 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.3 · 62 | 10% | 0.62 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Stanway School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, last inspected in 2023. In 2024/25, 54.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 48.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.07 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. 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 6.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Quiz Night and The Great Stanway Bake Off, participate in Stanfest, and attend a Ski Trip and Activities Week.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,396 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,400. 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 and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about The Stanway School
Overview
The Stanway School continues to be a good school, providing a calm and orderly environment where most pupils behave appropriately and learn well. Leaders model high expectations, and the curriculum is described as ambitious and well sequenced, enabling pupils to know and remember more.
Strengths
- Pupils are “polite, considerate and respectful,” with staff ensuring prejudicial language is not tolerated.
- The curriculum is “well sequenced” and “ambitious for all pupils,” supported by teachers with “good subject knowledge.”
- Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is “appropriate,” with adaptations aligned to agreed plans.
- Reading is a priority, with early identification of weaker readers ensuring additional support for fluency.
- The personal, social and health education programme is “well planned and comprehensive,” directly influenced by pupil views.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must implement a “robust strategic plan” to address high suspension rates, which particularly affect vulnerable pupils who struggle to meet behaviour expectations.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training, maintaining accurate records, and acting quickly when pupils require support.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.3 |
| 2024/25 | 48.2 |
| 2025/26 | 48.3 |
| 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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