- Ofsted:Strong standard or better
Results well above the England average.
71 first choices, 59 offers made
Met the standard at 1175%
England 62%
- Days missed
- 3.8%
- Pupils
- 422
- Pupils per teacher
- 21.3
Schools in CO3
A postcode district in Essex
- Postcode district
- 34 schools and nurseries
In short: CO3 is a postcode district in Essex with 15 primary schools, 12 secondary schools and 12 nurseries. Apply through the council where you live, which may not be the one a school is in.
- Schools and nurseries3415 primary · 12 secondary · 12 nurseries
Top-rated
All CO3 primary schoolsThe highest-rated schools in CO3
Primary and secondary schools are ranked by Eduscope score, which weighs up results, inspections, attendance and more. Nurseries, special and independent schools aren't ranked. A high score isn't everything: always visit.
Top Primary Schools in CO3
15 in CO3, best first
St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Colchester
Colchester, CO3 9BE · Academy · Primary · Ages 2 to 11
- Ofsted:Outstanding in every area
Results well above the England average.
41 first choices, 30 offers made
Met the standard at 1174%
England 62%
- Days missed
- 3.7%
- Pupils
- 252
- Pupils per teacher
- 24.5
- Ofsted:Good in every area
Results well above the England average.
53 first choices, 57 offers made
Met the standard at 1179%
England 62%
- Days missed
- 4.1%
- Pupils
- 420
- Pupils per teacher
- 25.1
Top Secondary Schools in CO3
12 in CO3, best first
Colchester County High School for Girls
Colchester, CO3 3US · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 18 · Girls
- Ofsted:Outstanding
Results well above the England average.
322 first choices, 190 offers made
Attainment 8 at 1679.7
England 46.2
- Days missed
- 4.2%
- Pupils
- 1,198
- Pupils per teacher
- 17.5
- Ofsted:Strong standard or better
Results well above the England average.
280 first choices, 128 offers made
Attainment 8 at 1680.9
England 46.2
- Days missed
- 5.4%
- Pupils
- 1,073
- Pupils per teacher
- 16.8
- Ofsted:Good
Results well above the England average.
213 first choices, 173 offers made
Attainment 8 at 1658.4
England 46.2
- Days missed
- 5.8%
- Pupils
- 905
- Pupils per teacher
- 20.3
Nurseries in CO3
12 in CO3, highest Ofsted grade first
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Colchester Stanway
Colchester, CO3 8LT · Nursery
- Ofsted:Good
Nurseries don't sit tests, so there are no results to compare.
Christchurch Preschool
Colchester, CO3 3AT · Nursery
- Ofsted:Good
Nurseries don't sit tests, so there are no results to compare.
Grove Preschool Stanway
Colchester, CO3 0PG · Nursery
- Ofsted:Good
Nurseries don't sit tests, so there are no results to compare.
Sixth Forms in CO3
5 in CO3, by the school's Eduscope score
Colchester County High School for Girls
Colchester, CO3 3US · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 18 · Girls
- Ofsted:Outstanding
Results well above the England average.
322 first choices, 190 offers made
Attainment 8 at 1679.7
England 46.2
- Days missed
- 4.2%
- Pupils
- 1,198
- Pupils per teacher
- 17.5
- Ofsted:Strong standard or better
Results well above the England average.
280 first choices, 128 offers made
Attainment 8 at 1680.9
England 46.2
- Days missed
- 5.4%
- Pupils
- 1,073
- Pupils per teacher
- 16.8
- Ofsted:Good
Results close to the England average.
248 first choices, 305 offers made
Attainment 8 at 1645.6
England 46.2
- Days missed
- 7.7%
- Pupils
- 1,888
- Pupils per teacher
- 18.1
Special Schools in CO3
3 in CO3. Eduscope doesn't rank these.
Kingswode Hoe School
Colchester, CO3 3QJ · Academy · All-through · Ages 5 to 16
- Ofsted:Strong standard in every area
Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.
Results
Not published for this kind of school.
- Days missed
- 11.9%
- Pupils
- 167
- Pupils per teacher
- 11.5
Lexden Springs School
Colchester, CO3 0PZ · Academy · All-through · Ages 3 to 19
- Ofsted:Inadequate
Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.
Results
Not published for this kind of school.
- Days missed
- 8.6%
- Pupils
- 301
- Pupils per teacher
- 8.1
The Willows
Colchester, CO3 9DE · Independent · Secondary · Ages 11 to 17
- No Ofsted grade yet
Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.
Private Schools in CO3
4 in CO3. Eduscope doesn't rank these.
Colchester Prep & High School
Colchester, CO3 3HD · Independent · All-through · Ages 2 to 16
- ISI:Inspected
Independent school. Results well above the England average.
Attainment 8 at 1661.8
England 46.2
- Days missed
- –
- Pupils
- 280
- Pupils per teacher
- –
Holmwood House School
Colchester, CO3 9ST · Independent · All-through · Ages 0 to 16
- ISI:Inspected
Independent school. Results above the England average.
Attainment 8 at 1651.0
England 46.2
- Days missed
- –
- Pupils
- 395
- Pupils per teacher
- –
St Mary's School for Girls
Colchester, CO3 3RB · Independent · All-through · Ages 2 to 17 · Girls
- ISI:Inspected
Independent school. Results well above the England average.
Attainment 8 at 1660.9
England 46.2
- Days missed
- –
- Pupils
- 424
- Pupils per teacher
- –
The map
See them as a listEvery school in CO3, on one map
Each dot is a school or nursery, coloured by its latest Ofsted grade. Point at a dot to see its name, or use the list.
- Outstanding2
- Good19
- Inadequate1
- Not graded yet12
Before you apply
Apply through the council where you live
Your home council handles your application, wherever the school is. Living nearby doesn't guarantee a place: each school's admission rules decide.
By age
What's on offer for each age
Pick a stage to see every CO3 school for that age, with filters for type, faith and Ofsted grade.
Living here
What it's like for families
CO3 has 34 schools and nurseries.
Dates to know
Apply through your local council, even for academies and faith schools.
- 31 OctSecondary deadlineFor children starting Year 7.
- 15 JanPrimary deadlineFor children starting Reception.
- 1 MarSecondary offersOffers day for Year 7 places.
- 16 AprPrimary offersOffers day for Reception places.
Keep up with schools in CO3
Follow any school and we'll email you when it gets a new Ofsted report or new results are out. Nothing else.
Questions
Questions parents ask about CO3
Nearby areas
How many schools are in CO3?
CO3 has 34 schools, including 15 primary schools, 12 secondary schools, 12 nurseries, 4 independent schools, 3 special schools. Some count in more than one group. You can browse each category using the filters on Eduscope.
What are the best schools in CO3?
The highest-ranked schools in CO3 on Eduscope are Colchester County High School for Girls, Colchester Royal Grammar School, Home Farm Primary School. We rank each state school against schools of the same phase across England on its Ofsted inspection, results and attendance. Independent, special and nursery schools aren't ranked.
How many private schools are in CO3?
There are 4 independent schools in CO3. Fees vary by school and age group, with day school fees typically ranging from £10,000 to £20,000 per year. You can compare all private schools in CO3 on Eduscope, including ISI inspection ratings where available.
How do I choose the right school in CO3?
Start by considering your child's age, your location, and whether you prefer a state or independent school. Use Eduscope to compare 34 schools in CO3 by Ofsted ratings, exam results, and distance. Filter by school type, gender, religious character, and admissions policy to narrow your options.
Sources: DfE school performance tables, DfE school census and workforce, DfE pupil absence, Ofsted. Photos are stand-ins.