Colchester Royal Grammar School
Colchester Royal Grammar School is one of the oldest and highest-performing grammar schools in England. Founded in 1206, the school has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and consistently ranks among the top state schools nationally for GCSE and A-Level performance.
The school is a selective boys’ grammar school for students aged 11–16, with a mixed sixth form. It is located in Colchester, Essex, and attracts applicants from across Essex and neighbouring counties due to its exceptional academic standards and university progression rates.
School Address
Colchester Royal Grammar School
Lexden Road
Colchester
Essex
CO3 3ND
Telephone: 01206 509100
Website: https://www.crgs.co.uk/
History of Colchester Royal Grammar School
Colchester Royal Grammar School was founded in 1206 and is one of the most historic schools in the United Kingdom. The school later received a Royal Charter from King Henry VIII, helping establish its long-standing academic prestige.
For centuries, the school has maintained a strong reputation for educational achievement and has educated students who have progressed into careers in law, medicine, engineering, business, science, politics, and academia.
Today, Colchester Royal Grammar School combines traditional educational values with modern teaching methods and facilities. The school continues to be recognised nationally for its academic performance and competitive admissions process.
Academic Reputation & Awards
Colchester Royal Grammar School is widely recognised as one of the leading grammar schools in Essex and one of the top-performing state schools in the UK.
The school is known for:
- Outstanding GCSE and A-Level results
- High Oxbridge and Russell Group university progression rates
- Exceptional STEM and mathematics performance
- Strong music, debating, and extracurricular programmes
- Consistently high national academic rankings
The school has received an “Outstanding” rating from Ofsted and regularly appears in national league tables for academic achievement.
Students benefit from:
- High academic expectations
- Specialist teaching staff
- Extensive extracurricular activities
- Leadership and enrichment opportunities
- Strong pastoral support
- Excellent sixth form provision
GCSE Results
Colchester Royal Grammar School consistently achieves exceptional GCSE results.
Recent results have included:
- The vast majority of GCSE grades awarded at Grade 7–9
- Very high percentages of Grade 8 and Grade 9 results
- Strong performance across Mathematics, English, and Science subjects
- Excellent attainment across humanities and modern languages
The school regularly performs significantly above national averages for selective and non-selective schools.
A-Level Results
The school also achieves outstanding A-Level performance each year.
Recent A-Level outcomes have included:
- Very high percentages of A* and A grades
- Excellent results in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Sciences, and Humanities
- Strong progression into Russell Group universities
- Consistently high Oxbridge acceptance rates
Many students progress into competitive university courses including Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering, Law, Computer Science, and Economics.
Year 7 Admissions Criteria
Admission into Year 7 is based on performance in the CSSE (Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex) 11+ examination.
Eligibility
- Pupils must sit the CSSE 11+ examination during Year 6.
- Applications are accepted from both local and out-of-area candidates.
Entrance Examination
The CSSE examination normally includes:
- English comprehension
- Vocabulary and grammar
- Creative writing
- Mathematics
- Problem-solving and reasoning questions
The examination uses written papers rather than multiple-choice questions.
Allocation of Places
Approximately 128 places are available for Year 7 entry each year.
Places are allocated primarily based on examination performance. Due to the school being heavily oversubscribed, successful applicants generally achieve very high standardised scores.
Application Process
Parents must:
- Register their child for the CSSE 11+ examination.
- Sit the examination in September of Year 6.
- Complete the Local Authority Secondary School Application Form.
- List Colchester Royal Grammar School as a preferred school choice.
Early preparation for the 11+ examination is strongly recommended due to the competitive standard required for entry.
Why Parents Choose Colchester Royal Grammar School
Parents choose Colchester Royal Grammar School because of its:
- Exceptional academic reputation
- Outstanding GCSE and A-Level performance
- Excellent university progression
- Historic prestige and tradition
- Strong pastoral support
- Competitive academic environment
- Extensive extracurricular opportunities
The school remains one of the most sought-after grammar schools in Essex and across the UK.
Google Maps Location
https://maps.google.com/?q=Colchester+Royal+Grammar+School+CO3+3ND
