ALL schools strive to be the best, and the way to typically measure this is through Ofsted reports.

Ofsted - The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills - is a non-ministerial department of the UK government.

The body visits schools for inspections, and over two full days, will spend most of their time observing lessons and talking to a range of pupils and staff about important aspects of the school’s work.

Following this, the school will be ranked ‘outstanding’, ‘good’, ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’.

A school judged good or outstanding at its most recent inspection will normally receive an inspection approximately every four years, and this will be less if the school is of a lower rating.

Here are the secondary schools and colleges in and around Colchester ranked good or outstanding based on their latest published inspection, and some of the praise they received.

There are some schools that are not yet ranked, this may be because:

  • a newly registered school hasn’t been inspected yet
  • an inspection has taken place recently, but the report hasn’t been published yet
  • a school that has recently become an academy may not have been inspected yet
  • an ‘outstanding’ school that has become an academy may be exempt from routine inspection.

The Gilberd School, Brinkley Lane, Colchester - Outstanding

The Gilberd was given an outstanding in its last published inspection on January 10, 2019, and is the only secondary school or college in the town with this rating.

It was praised on its “commitment to well-rounded education”, “broad curriculum” and “very high quality of teaching”.

The Stanway School, Winstree Road, Stanway – Good

It was given its latest inspection on May 2, 2017.

The Stanway School was ranked good in its last full inspection on May 2013, and maintained this in its latest short inspection, praised for its “good quality of education”, “well-behaved students and ‘effective safeguarding”.

Manningtree High School, Colchester Road, Lawford, Manningtree – GOOD

Manningtree High School was ranked good on May 21, 2018

It was originally ranked as ‘requires improvement’ in 2013 but improved on this in 2015 and maintained it its most recent short inspection.

The report said: “Since your appointment in September 2015, you have continued to improve standards within the school”, with “the progress and attainment of pupils leaving Year 11 was above average in 2017.”

Colchester Academy, Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester - GOOD

Ranked last on January 18, 2018, the Colchester Academy went from inadequate in 2014, to good in its last full inspection.

In the report, it was praised for its ‘simple but strong processes and procedures’, ‘teacher’s strong subject knowledge’ and students’ behaviour, which they said, ‘has improved significantly and is now good’.

The Thomas Lord Audley School, Monkwick Avenue, Monkwick, Colchester - GOOD

The Thomas Lord Audley school was last inspected on March 4, 2020, where it was rated good.

The report said: “Pupils achieve well in science, humanities, and modern foreign languages because of the strengths of the curriculum in the school.”

It was also praised for lack of bullying and teachers who “go the extra mile”.

St Benedict's Catholic College, Norman Way, Colchester - GOOD

Given its latest ranking on March 14, 2018, St Benedict’s was rated good.

It was given praise for “good quality of education”, supportive staff and well-behaved students, amongst plenty of others.

Thurstable School Sports College and Sixth Form Centre, Maypole Road, Tiptree, Colchester – GOOD

Last rated on January 17, 2022, it maintained its good rating, improving from ‘requires improvement’ in 2014.

The report said: “Thurstable School Sports College and Sixth Form Centre continues to be a good school.”

It also applauded for its student’s enjoyment of attending, safety during the Covid-19 pandemic, and broad choice of GCSE and vocational subjects.

The Honywood Community Science School, Westfield Drive, Coggeshall – GOOD

Ranked on June 5, 2017, The Honywood Community Science School has only been ranked good in its inspections since its academy conversion in 2012.

It has been commended for “the headteacher’s ambitious vision”, “broad curriculum” and “effective safeguarding”.

Market Field School, Elmstead Market, Colchester – GOOD

Market Field School was last inspected on November 14, 2019, its first and only inspection since becoming an academy.

The report rated the quality of education, behaviour and attitude, leadership and management and sixth-form provision as good.

Ranked even better was the personal development at outstanding.

The Sixth Form College Colchester, North Hill, Colchester – GOOD

Last rated on January 25, 2018, the short inspection maintained its good rating from the previous full inspection in 2013.

 The report said: “Since the previous inspection you have continued to provide good-quality academic education for young people, predominantly school leavers, in Colchester and the surrounding area.”

St Helena School, Sheepen Road, Colchester – GOOD

St Helena was last inspected and ranked on January 18, 2018.

The school maintained its good during the full inspection, and was applauded for being “well-led”, “effective safeguarding” and “well-behaved students during lessons.”

Lexden Springs School, Winstree Road, Colchester – GOOD

On January 6, 2020, the school maintained its good ranking.

It achieved good rankings across the board, and outstanding ratings in the ‘good behaviour and attitudes’ and ‘good early years provision’ categories.

East Bergholt High School, Heath Road, East Bergholt, Colchester – GOOD

East Bergholt was rated good in a main inspection and kept this during its recent short inspection on February 5, 2018.

The report said: “The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection.”

It was also hailed for “very strong level of support for students”, “industrious and constructive atmosphere in almost all lessons” and “senior colleagues who have led the school with dedication and commitment.”