Ages 
For naturally clever, intellectually curious and self-motivated boys (or sixth form girls), CRGS offers an education on a par with a top flight independent school. However, a certain resilience is required: ‘Once here, boys realise they are just one among many. It can take some adjusting to.’ Another plus is the friendship and collaborative learning opportunities within an outstandingly able peer group.
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Overview & data
- Notes
- Co-ed sixth form
- Pupil numbers
- 1,018 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 382 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- Christian
- Fees
- Day free; Boarding £16,425 pa
- Local authority
- Essex County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr John Russell
Since 2015, John Russell BSc, MA, ARCS, previously deputy head of Cranbrook School. After taking a degree in physics at Imperial College and a PGCE (London) he embarked on a teaching career first at Davenant Foundation School in Essex before becom
Entrance
Highly competitive September 11+ entrance exam set by a consortium of ten schools. Students sit papers in maths, English and verbal reasoning and places are awarded to those boys who have placed CRGS top of their list of preferences and come in th
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Majority move up to the sixth form at the end of year 11 – just over 20 per cent leave, mostly to study a subject not on offer at CRGS or, in a few cases, because they don’t make the grade. Year 13 leavers virtually all go to leading universities
Latest results
In 2023, 85 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 77 per cent A*/A at A level (94 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 83 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 70 per cent A*/A at A level.
% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
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.
Teaching & learning
Outstanding academic results across the board with the majority achieving top grades in most subjects, yet the school does not feel like a pressure cooker. Students didn't appear angst-ridden about their exams but they are purposeful: ‘We all chos
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
The school is experienced in providing for students with a wide range of SEN, mainly dyslexia, a few on the autism spectrum and those with hearing or visual impairments. Approximately 100 students have help of some sort which is mostly in class. T
Arts & extracurricular
The music department occupies a whole building with performance and practice rooms. A timetabled subject up to year 9 and roughly half of each year group take it up to GCSE. Many students (around 200) also learn an instrument and there are choirs,
Sport
The chief team games are rugby, cricket and football with lots of fixtures with local independent and state schools, some individuals being selected for national squads and teams. The playing fields, tree fringed and really attractive, are a 10-mi
Boarders
The boarding house accommodates a smallish cohort of international sixth form students, several from Hong Kong, where the head of boarding visits to interview applicants. Bedrooms are a mixture of singles and doubles with girls on the ground floor
Ethos & heritage
Evidence suggests the school’s origins can be traced back to 1206, or even earlier. Royal charters granted by Henry VIII in 1539 and Elizabeth I in 1584 confirmed the school’s existence but it remained very small until the 19th century when ‘Big S
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Tutors are responsible for students’ wellbeing and academic progress. A recently set-up student support hub and the appointment of a wellbeing manager are part of a concerted drive to improve ‘the way we are preparing students for the world as it
Pupils & parents
As there is no formal catchment area, it all boils down to whether the journey time is an hour or less. Many live nearer at hand, including Colchester, but others travel in from east London – by train or in minibuses organised by parents who are w
Money matters
Tuition is free for all pupils but there is a boarding fee. Old Colcestrians provide generous support (means tested) for musical instruments, tours, competitions, field trips and sporting fixtures a student might otherwise be unable to join in wit
- Fee information
- Day free; Boarding £16,425 pa
The last word
For naturally clever, intellectually curious and self-motivated boys (or sixth form girls), CRGS offers an education on a par with a top flight independent school. However, a certain resilience is required: ‘Once here, boys realise they are just o
