Lift Columbus vs St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford
Side-by-side comparison of key school data
Lift Columbus
Chelmsford
Overview
Phase
Special
Secondary
Type
Academy special converter
Voluntary aided school
Age Range
3–19
11–18
Gender
Mixed
Mixed
Religious Character
Does not apply
Roman Catholic
Admissions
-
Non-selective
Local Authority
Essex
Essex
Pupils & Capacity
Pupils
285
1241
Capacity
270
1220
Occupancy
106%
102%
FSM %
32.4%
16.7%
Nursery
Sixth Form
Boarding
Ofsted
Overall Rating
-
-
Quality of Education
-
-
Behaviour & Attitudes
-
-
Personal Development
-
-
Leadership & Management
-
-
Last Inspected
Jul 2026
Jun 2024
Performance (2025)
Progress 8
-
-
Attainment 8
-
48.7
GCSE Eng+Maths 5+
-
46.2%
KS2 Reading
0%
-
KS2 Maths
0%
-
KS2 Writing
0%
-
A-Level Performance (2024/25)
Average Grade
-
C+
Points Per Entry
-
32.7
Best 3 A-Levels
-
C+
AAB+ %
-
11%
Value Added
-
Above average
A-Level Students
-
102
Retention
-
99%
University Destinations (2022/23 cohort)
Top-third university
-
26%
Degree course
-
73%
Any L4+ destination
-
82%
Apprenticeships
-
8%
Cohort size
-
113
A-Level Subjects
Subjects offered
0
15
Top subjects
Geography (64)
Psychology (62)
Mathematics (60)
Psychology (58)
Economics (54)
Mathematics (52)
Biology (40)
Sociology (38)