Colchester Royal Grammar School
School summary
A selective boys' grammar in Colchester with a Christian character, Colchester Royal Grammar combines day and boarding places and entry at age 11. The school is notably oversubscribed: around 1,059 pupils are on a roll built for 777, making it considerably larger than its stated capacity. Entry is competitive, with 128 places allocated through the CSSE consortium each year. A 2021 Ofsted inspection presents a mixed picture, however: while the quality of education and sixth form were judged Good, behaviour, personal development, leadership and the overall rating were all found to be Inadequate.
How hard is it to get in?
Exceptionally competitive · 5 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Demand here is among the very highest of any selective school in England - a strong exam performance matters more than at almost any other school.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Key dates · 2028 entry
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
Attainment 8
82.1
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
100%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Inadequate
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Inadequate
- Last inspected
- 11 May 2021
Teaching & academics
Academic results are exceptional. The average Attainment 8 score of 82.1 sits far above the national average of 46.9, and every pupil achieves grade 5 or above in English and Maths, compared with 47% nationally. Ofsted's Good rating for quality of education and sixth form aligns with these outcomes. With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 16.7, the academic offer is the clear strength of the school.
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- Christian
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 7.27%
- EHC plans
- 0.38%
- English as additional language
- 11%
- Free school meals
- 4.5%
Schools nearby
Colchester County High School for Girls
Colchester, East of England
Chelmsford County High School for Girls
Chelmsford, East of England
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
Chelmsford, East of England
Southend High School for Boys
Southend-on-Sea, East of England
Southend High School for Girls
Southend-on-Sea, East of England
Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
Westcliff-on-Sea, East of England
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
An academically outstanding boys' grammar whose results are among the strongest you will find, set against an Ofsted report that flags real concerns beyond the classroom. Families drawn by the results should read the full inspection findings carefully.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Colchester Royal Grammar School 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.