St Benedict's Catholic College
102%
Capacity
891
Pupils
4.7x
Demand
About St Benedict's Catholic College
St Benedict's Catholic College is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Colchester community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 891 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (102% of 876 places).
Ofsted has rated St Benedict's Catholic College "Good", the school is led by headteacher J E Santinelli, it falls under Essex local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.23 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 53.5. Additionally, ranked 1009th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 4th out of 10 in Colchester.
St Benedict's Catholic College is a popular choice with families — it received 808 applications for 171 places, making it 4.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 211 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Benedict's Catholic College include Tennis Courts, Swimming Pool, Dining Hall, Sports Hall, Science Labs, Astro Turf, Gymnasium, Playing Fields, Library, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rowing, Football, Rugby, Dance and 2 more, as well as clubs including Gardening, Art Club, Newspaper, Model UN and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 9.1%, which is well below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Colchester, St Benedict's Catholic College 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 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Norman Way, Colchester, Colchester, CO3 3US |
| Headteacher | J E Santinelli |
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Number of Pupils | 891 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 9.1% |
| School Capacity | 891 / 876 (102% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
19 Jul 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (19 Jul 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 16 Dec 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.23)
1009th of 3,141
Nationally
109th of 350
In East of England
4th of 10
In Colchester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make 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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed171
808
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
211 families put this school as their 1st choice (26% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Benedict's Catholic College
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
Norman Way, Colchester
Colchester, CO3 3US
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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