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Reviewed

Colchester County High School for Girls

State school · Colchester, CO3 3US
  • Secondary
  • Girls
  • Ages 11-18
  • 1,148 pupils
Academically selective state school
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

Girls we met were confident and happy but this tightly run ship may perhaps not be the most comfortable place for square pegs in round holes. However, if your daughter is academically extremely able, determined and focused on long term career ambitions as well as immediate satisfaction, then Colchester County High should prove a very good fit.

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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
1,148 ·
Sixth form numbers
280 ·
Religion
None
Local authority
Essex County Council
Area guides

Headteacher

Executive principal

Mrs Gillian Marshall

Since 2010, Gillian Marshall MSc BSc(biochemistry) PGCE NPQH. Previously deputy head at Notley High School, Braintree (mixed comprehensive) for 11 years and before that taught biology and chemistry at several schools, Bishop’s Stortford High for

Entrance

Places for year 7 are awarded to those who perform best in the fiercely competitive exam set by the consortium of selective schools in Essex. This consists of tests in maths and English and places are awarded to the top performers after the (roughly)

Admissions policy
Academically selective state school

Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Other 75 %
Where the number of students is less than 10, we cannot say where they've come from or where they are going to due to data protection rules.
Unknown 18 %
Where the school a student attended before or after this school is not known. These might be students who have come from or going to home schooling, independent schools, moving abroad etc.
Hamilton Primary School 4 %
North Primary School and Nursery 2 %
Home Farm Primary School 2 %
Data highlight

Exit

Roughly a third leave after GCSE, mostly for co-ed sixth forms or the Colchester Sixth Form College. Vast majority of year 13 leavers go to university with over sixty per cent to Russell Group Universities. Large numbers go for heavyweight subjects,

% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)

School
89%
LA avg.
61%
Eng. avg.
66%
Data highlight

What is this?

The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.

Latest results

In 2023, 87 per cent 9-7 at GCSEs; 53 per cent A*/A at A level (81 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 91 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 58 per cent A*/A at A level (82 per cent A*-B).

% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
100%
LA avg.
64%
Eng. avg.
60%
Data highlight

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average points score (2024)

School
38.01
LA avg.
33.44
Eng. avg.
35.69
Data highlight

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Teaching & learning

A top performing school locally and nationally. Many pupils achieve 9-7 grades at GCSE across the board with over 60 per cent of the cohort achieving 9s in maths, physics and biology. A level results equally impressive, again notably in sciences and

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
63
Number of teachers
19:1
Pupil to teacher ratio

Learning support & SEN

A few girls require assistance for SEND and this is arranged through individual sessions or in class. The department is on a main corridor rather than tucked away. School is aware that the pandemic had an impact on mental health and support is

0.1 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
1.8 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

Impressive range of clubs and societies, often run by students themselves (frequently held at lunchtimes rather than after school because of distances students travel) that cater for intellectual and creative interests. The range includes the

Sport

Everyone has four timetabled PE lessons per fortnight and there is great enthusiasm for all the games now on offer, hockey, netball, football, rugby, basketball, cricket and athletics. The school dominates the local league tables and there are many

Ethos & heritage

Founded at the start of the twentieth century and moved in 1957 to its present site, fairly close to the centre of Colchester. The school now occupies a variety of buildings, linked by courtyards and covered ways, that represent a determined move

Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

The calm, well-ordered atmosphere is underpinned by the tutor system. Girls move up with the same tutor and this, ‘creates a sense of belonging and trust’ say the school - very important with year groups of 200. Most girls know only one or two other

Pupils & parents

Pupils come from Essex and as far afield as North London and the depths of Suffolk. There are over 100 feeder primaries. Many undertake journeys of 90 minutes, each way, and depend on the public transport system. There is some car sharing but most

1,148
Number of pupils

The last word

Girls we met were confident and happy but this tightly run ship may perhaps not be the most comfortable place for square pegs in round holes. However, if your daughter is academically extremely able, determined and focused on long term career

Inspection reports

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Outstanding

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Outstanding
Quality of education Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Leadership and management Outstanding
Sixth form provision Outstanding

This school has not provided any information yet

If you are from this school, please, get in touch to feature images and useful information for parents.

Contact the school

Address

Norman Way
Colchester
Essex
CO3 3US
Get directions

Telephone: 01206 576973

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.cchsg.com

Local authority: Essex County Council

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School data & information Colchester County High School for Girls Norman Way, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3US
1,148 Pupil numbers
280 Sixth form numbers
3 % % of pupils eligible for free school meals
34 % Pupils whose first language is not English
19:1 Pupil to teacher ratio
63 Number of teachers
4 Number of teaching assistants
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Colchester County High School for Girls and is updated annually. See the review

% achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
100%
LA avg.
64%
Eng. avg.
60%

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average overall GCSE score (attainment 8) (2024)

School
80.80
LA avg.
44.70
Eng. avg.
44.20

What is this?

Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Improvement rates in core subjects (progress 8) (2024)

0.99 Score Well above average
≈ 16% of schools in England

What is a progress score?

This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. This is based on results in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 157 9
Psychology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 50 9
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 157 8
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 9 9
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 13 8
Mathematics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 159 8
Latin GCSE (9-1) Full Course 46 8
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 90 9
German GCSE (9-1) Full Course 40 8
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 71 9
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 55 8
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 159 8
English Language GCSE (9-1) Full Course 159 8
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 17 8
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 43 8
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 158 8
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 159 9
Art & Design (Fine Art) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 14 8

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
28%
LA avg.
15%
Eng. avg.
20%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
38.01
LA avg.
33.44
Eng. avg.
35.69

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Religious Studies GCE A level 9 A
Psychology GCE A level 30 B
Physics GCE A level 24 B
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 6 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 14 A
Mathematics GCE A level 54 B
History GCE A level 17 A
German GCE A level 6 A
Geography GCE A level 13 A
English Literature GCE A level 24 A
English Language GCE A level 6 B
Economics GCE A level 24 A
Computer Studies / Computing GCE A level 8 B
Classical Civilisation GCE A level 12 A
Chemistry GCE A level 67 B
Biology GCE A level 70 B

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Recent feeder schools

Year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 12 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 11 exit (average 2020-2022)

Year 13 exit

SEN overview

Colchester County High School for Girls is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

CCHSG is an inclusive school, dedicated to ensuring that every student receives the individual support and care required to achieve their social and educational best. The staff and governors are strongly committed to both inclusion and equal opportunities and will always look at what reasonable adjustments can be made in order to facilitate access for students with special educational needs, irrespective of race, class, ethnicity or social status.

The school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCO) is responsible for the provision and monitoring of SEND support. Students with special needs resulting from physical disabilities, sensory impairment or emotional and behavioural difficulties will be given full access to the curriculum so far as it is practicable and desirable. All staff are regularly trained and updated on SEND issues and are fully involved in the identification and support of students with special educational needs or disabilities. The school works closely with students, parents, and external agencies.

Updated Oct 2023
0.1 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
1.8 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment Yes
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes Yes
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Outstanding

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Outstanding
Quality of education Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Leadership and management Outstanding
Sixth form provision Outstanding
Our data explained
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