Colchester Royal Grammar School
136%
Capacity
1,059
Pupils
6.3x
Demand
About Colchester Royal Grammar School
Colchester Royal Grammar School is a boys' boarding secondary school in Colchester, East of England, catering to pupils aged 11 to 18. The school has 1,059 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (136% of 777 places).
Ofsted has rated Colchester Royal Grammar School "Inadequate", the school is led by headteacher John Russell, it falls under Essex local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +1.09 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is strong at 83.4. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of A. Additionally, placing it in the top 5% of schools nationally. Additionally, ranked 49th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 1st out of 10 in Colchester.
Colchester Royal Grammar School is a popular choice with families — it received 780 applications for 124 places, making it 6.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 274 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Colchester Royal Grammar School include Swimming Pool, Library, Dining Hall, Gymnasium, Sixth Form Centre, Science Labs, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Swimming, Cross Country, Rounders and 6 more, as well as clubs including Model UN, Art Club, Young Enterprise, DofE and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 4.5%, which is well below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Colchester, Colchester Royal Grammar School is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Boys |
| Religious Character | Christian |
| Address | Lexden Road, Colchester, Colchester, CO3 3ND |
| Headteacher | John Russell |
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Number of Pupils | 1,059 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 4.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,059 / 777 (136% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
| Boarding | Yes — Boarding school |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 May 2021Overall Effectiveness
Inadequate
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 8 Jul 2021. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+1.09)
49th of 3,141
Nationally
4th of 350
In East of England
1st of 10
In Colchester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed124
780
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
274 families put this school as their 1st choice (35% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colchester Royal Grammar School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Lexden Road, Colchester
Colchester, CO3 3ND
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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