Colchester County High School for Girls
Colchester, CO3 3US · Essex · Grammar school
Check the area around this school
1st 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 118 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 8.4/10 among them, against 9.8/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 98.4 · 99 | 30% | 2.96 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.99 · 97 | 25% | 2.43 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 79.7 · 99 | 10% | 0.99 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Colchester County High School for Girls overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2024. In 2024/25, 100.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 80.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.99 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 8.8 out of 10 among them, against 9.9 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Catherine Bullen Foundation and Jack Petchey Awards.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,198 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,020. 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 specific support is available for pupils aiming to maintain their high attainment levels? How are the Catherine Bullen Foundation and Jack Petchey Awards integrated into the weekly timetable?
What Ofsted said about Colchester County High School for Girls
Overview
Colchester County High School for Girls is described as an “exceptional school” where pupils are part of a “respectful, kind and hard-working community.” The report highlights a culture of high expectations, mutual respect, and a strong sense of loyalty among students, resulting in outstanding outcomes across all areas of provision.
Strengths
- The quality of education is outstanding, with outcomes for pupils being “some of the highest in the country” and a curriculum designed to ensure long-term retention of knowledge.
- Behaviour is “exceptional,” characterised by a “thread of mutual respect” and pupils who “focus intently on their learning.”
- Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is “ambitious,” with students making “excellent progress” and receiving significant support.
- There is a “remarkable range of leadership opportunities” and an “astonishing range of extra-curricular activities,” many of which are pupil-led.
- Staff benefit from an “impressive culture of professional development,” and leaders effectively monitor attendance with understanding.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 80.8 |
| 2024/25 | 80.6 |
| 2025/26 | 79.7 |
| 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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