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Local authority · East of England

Schools in Essex

  • 558State-funded schools
  • 445Primary
  • 81Secondary
  • 24Special
  • East of EnglandRegion
Applications per placeCircle size: applications
First choice · secondary 2026
83%
close to England (84%)
16,568 families applied
First choice · primary 2026
90%
2 pts below England (92%)
15,737 families applied
Applications per place · secondary
2.8
0.6 above England median (2.2)
Median school
New Ofsted report cards
63of 558 schools
Results by area

How hard is it to get a place here?

DfE · families living in Essex
Secondary (Year 7) · Sept 2026
83%got their first choice
close to England (84%)

16,568 applicants · 3.0% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 83%; England 84%
  2. 2025 84%; England 84%
  3. 2024 84%; England 83%
  4. 2023 84%; England 83%
  5. 2022 87%; England 83%
  6. 2021 82%; England 81%
  7. 2020 85%; England 82%
  8. 2019 82%; England 81%
  9. 2018 86%; England 82%
  10. 2017 88%; England 83%
  11. 2016 86%; England 84%
  12. 2015 86%; England 84%
  13. 2014 85%; England 85%
  • Essex
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 202616,56883.4%94.9%3.0%
Sep 202516,78883.8%95.2%2.9%
Sep 202417,03684.2%95.1%3.2%
Sep 202316,94084.2%95.1%3.1%
Sep 202216,55586.9%96.2%2.2%
Sep 202116,34882.2%94.7%3.0%
Sep 202016,07885.5%95.9%2.4%
Sep 201916,09782.5%93.5%4.1%
Sep 201815,72086.2%95.8%2.4%
Sep 201715,33387.5%96.4%1.9%
Sep 201614,74185.7%95.8%2.4%
Sep 201514,70785.7%95.4%2.7%
Sep 201414,63984.7%95.3%3.0%
Primary (Reception) · Sept 2026
90%got their first choice
2 pts below England (92%)

15,737 applicants · 1.8% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 90%; England 92%
  2. 2025 90%; England 93%
  3. 2024 91%; England 93%
  4. 2023 91%; England 92%
  5. 2022 90%; England 92%
  6. 2021 90%; England 92%
  7. 2020 89%; England 90%
  8. 2019 89%; England 91%
  9. 2018 88%; England 91%
  10. 2017 89%; England 90%
  11. 2016 87%; England 88%
  12. 2015 87%; England 88%
  13. 2014 86%; England 88%
  • Essex
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 202615,73790.3%97.6%1.8%
Sep 202515,61990.3%97.9%1.6%
Sep 202415,86291.3%98.2%1.4%
Sep 202315,92190.8%98.1%1.5%
Sep 202216,05889.6%97.6%1.9%
Sep 202115,77989.7%97.6%1.7%
Sep 202016,12989.1%97.5%1.8%
Sep 201916,09889.4%97.5%1.8%
Sep 201816,12488.1%97.4%1.8%
Sep 201716,20389.4%97.4%1.8%
Sep 201616,68687.4%96.4%2.8%
Sep 201516,56486.7%95.4%3.4%
Sep 201416,36986.1%95.4%3.5%

What has Ofsted found here?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Report cards 63 schools of 558 · since November 2025

  • Inclusion
  • Curriculum and teaching
  • Achievement
  • Attendance and behaviour
  • Personal development and wellbeing
  • Early years (39)
  • Post-16 provision (12)
  • Leadership and governance

Bar: share of schools; number of schools at each grade below.

Overall grade from Ofsted's previous framework 415 schools · graded 2010 to 2024

  • Outstanding32
  • Good366
  • Requires improvement13
  • Inadequate4

Includes grades confirmed by a later ungraded inspection. Not comparable with report cards.

Graded 2024/25, no overall grade 73 schools

Key judgementOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of education125011–
Behaviour and attitudes18478–
Personal development24472–
Leadership and management174871

Not yet inspected (new or reorganised schools): 7.

Latest report cards

Every new report card, month by month · RSS for Essex

Secondary schools in Essex

81 schools · Year 7 entry 2026

Change the order (visual only)

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sorted by Attainment 8, highest first.

Sorted by the date of the latest Ofsted inspection, newest first.

Sorted by name.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeAttainment 8FSM
The Beaulieu Park School Outstanding2023 9.2 applications per place 59.3 11%
Colchester Royal Grammar School Selective Faith Serious weaknesses 2026 6.3 applications per place 80.9 5%
De La Salle School Faith Remains Good2024 5.2 applications per place 46.0 23%
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford Selective 2026 5.0 applications per place 83.0 3%
Great Baddow High School 2026 4.6 applications per place 48.3 16%
St Benedict's Catholic College Faith Remains Good2023 4.4 applications per place 58.4 9%
Becket Keys Church of England Free School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 4.3 applications per place 55.5 10%
Shenfield High School Remains Good2024 4.3 applications per place 42.4 20%
Moulsham High School Improved significantly2024 4.2 applications per place 54.8 12%
The James Hornsby School 2026 4.0 applications per place 41.8 48%
Colchester County High School for Girls Selective Outstanding2023 3.9 applications per place 79.7 3%
The Deanes Good2023 3.9 applications per place 32.2 25%
The Gilberd School Standards maintained2025 3.9 applications per place 49.9 15%
The Trinity School Graded · no overall grade2025 3.9 applications per place 49.6 16%
Harris Academy Kingswood Remains Good2023 3.8 applications per place 44.4 30%
Harris Academy Billericay Remains Good2024 3.8 applications per place 47.3 18%
Anglo European School Good2024 3.8 applications per place 58.6 10%
St Martin's School Brentwood Graded · no overall grade2024 3.7 applications per place 49.9 14%
The FitzWimarc School Good2022 3.6 applications per place 47.3 13%
The Boswells School Remains Good2023 3.6 applications per place 49.1 16%
St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford Faith Remains Good2024 3.5 applications per place 48.7 17%
The Sweyne Park School Graded · no overall grade2025 3.5 applications per place 41.3 21%
Philip Morant School and College Good2023 3.5 applications per place 45.6 25%
Chelmer Valley High School Good2023 3.5 applications per place 48.0 23%
St Helena School Good2024 3.4 applications per place 42.4 34%
Chelmsford County High School for Girls Selective Outstanding2024 3.4 applications per place 81.4 5%
The Sandon School Requires improvement2024 3.3 applications per place 45.5 15%
Debden Park High School Graded · no overall grade2025 3.3 applications per place 47.4 20%
Mayflower High School 2025 3.2 applications per place 48.1 11%
The King John School 2026 3.2 applications per place 51.6 13%
Honywood School Good2022 3.2 applications per place 45.1 17%
West Hatch High School Remains Good2023 3.2 applications per place 51.0 14%
Beauchamps High School Graded · no overall grade2025 3.1 applications per place 45.6 13%
The Stanway School Remains Good2023 3.1 applications per place 48.3 16%
Harris Academy Wickford Graded · no overall grade2024 3.1 applications per place 38.2 24%
Brentwood County High School 2026 3.0 applications per place 46.7 21%
Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School Faith Good2023 2.9 applications per place 63.2 10%
Davenant Foundation School Faith 2026 2.9 applications per place 54.9 9%
Forest Hall School 2026 2.8 applications per place 42.8 31%
Paxman Academy Good2024 2.8 applications per place 42.4 33%
Joyce Frankland Academy, Newport Good2023 2.7 applications per place 50.7 12%
The Thomas Lord Audley School Standards maintained2025 2.7 applications per place 41.2 30%
Lift Greensward Remains Good2023 2.6 applications per place 50.5 13%
St Mark's West Essex Catholic School Faith Good2023 2.6 applications per place 50.0 21%
Roding Valley High School Good2022 2.6 applications per place 44.2 20%
Harris Academy Benfleet Standards maintained2024 2.6 applications per place 39.0 18%
Passmores Academy Remains Good2024 2.6 applications per place 36.2 29%
Sir Frederick Gibberd College Graded · no overall grade2024 2.5 applications per place 44.7 29%
Alec Hunter Academy Remains Good2022 2.4 applications per place 47.1 14%
Manningtree High School Graded · no overall grade2025 2.4 applications per place 49.2 13%
Burnt Mill Academy Good2023 2.3 applications per place 47.2 28%
Epping St John's Church of England School Faith 2026 2.3 applications per place 46.6 19%
Mark Hall Academy Graded · no overall grade2025 2.3 applications per place 37.8 28%
The King Edmund School Good2024 2.2 applications per place 39.3 36%
Thurstable School Graded · no overall grade2025 2.1 applications per place 46.5 19%
Plume School Good2023 2.0 applications per place 42.2 26%
William de Ferrers School Graded · no overall grade2024 1.9 applications per place 43.8 14%
Tabor Academy 2026 1.9 applications per place 38.5 25%
Lift New Rickstones Remains Good2023 1.9 applications per place 42.5 28%
Saffron Walden County High School Outstanding2024 1.9 applications per place 55.8 10%
The Ongar Academy Remains Good2023 1.8 applications per place 40.0 27%
Helena Romanes School Good2023 1.8 applications per place 44.0 18%
Notley High School and Sixth Form 2026 1.8 applications per place 46.1 18%
Stewards Academy - Science Specialist, Harlow Requires improvement2024 1.7 applications per place 40.1 37%
The Ramsey Academy, Halstead Graded · no overall grade2024 1.6 applications per place 46.5 25%
Hedingham School and Sixth Form Remains Good2023 1.6 applications per place 43.5 16%
Lift Maltings 2026 1.6 applications per place 40.6 23%
Clacton County High School Standards maintained2024 1.6 applications per place 37.5 37%
Colchester Academy Good2023 1.5 applications per place 35.3 42%
Lift Tendring Good2024 1.5 applications per place 40.6 31%
Lift Clacton Good2024 1.4 applications per place 29.6 57%
Ormiston Rivers Academy Remains Good2023 1.4 applications per place 36.7 18%
Castle View School Requires improvement2023 1.3 applications per place 40.9 29%
Colne Community School Good2023 1.3 applications per place 42.3 22%
Harwich and Dovercourt High School Requires significant improvement 2026 1.1 applications per place 34.1 43%
The Basildon Lower Academy Requires significant improvement 2026 0.9 applications per place – 53%
King Harold Business & Enterprise Academy 2026 0.9 applications per place 39.7 34%
Hylands School Special measures 2026 0.6 applications per place 40.3 45%
Bmat Stem Academy Good2023 no data 29.9 35%
The Basildon Upper Academy Good2023 no data 26.9 46%
The Cornelius Vermuyden School Special measures Inadequate2023 no data – –

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement
  • Does not apply

Eight dots, one per area: inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, personal development, early years, post-16, leadership. Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale; Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.

Primary schools in Essex

445 schools · Reception entry 2026

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

The 25 with the most applications per place. Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeSATs standardFSM
Beehive Lane Community Primary School 2026 7.3 applications per place 77% 12%
Quilters Infant School Standards maintained2025 5.1 applications per place – 4%
Terling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Faith Good2023 5.1 applications per place 57% 9%
Messing Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 4.9small intake applications per place 36% 17%
Perryfields Infant School Remains Good2022 4.9 applications per place – 3%
Kingston Primary School Outstanding2023 4.9 applications per place 90% 9%
Chancellor Park Primary School, Chelmsford Outstanding2024 4.7 applications per place 87% 10%
Kendall Church of England Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 4.6 applications per place 72% 21%
Maltese Road Primary School Remains Good2024 4.6 applications per place 74% 13%
Mountnessing Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2022 4.6 applications per place 81% 16%
Sunnymede Primary School Graded · no overall grade2025 4.5 applications per place 69% 13%
Trinity St Mary's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School, South Woodham Ferrers Faith Remains Good2023 4.4small intake applications per place 31% 19%
Fawbert and Barnard's Primary School Remains Good2022 4.3 applications per place 52% 10%
Baynards Primary School 2026 4.2small intake applications per place 67% 42%
Lift Hockley 2026 4.2 applications per place 80% 7%
Westwood Academy Standards maintained2024 4.2 applications per place 50% 7%
Stisted Church of England Primary Academy Faith Outstanding2023 4.1 applications per place 47% 14%
Home Farm Primary School 2026 4.1 applications per place 75% 7%
Stock Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2022 4.0 applications per place 70% 11%
All Saints Maldon Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Faith Remains Good2022 4.0 applications per place 48% 23%
Crays Hill Primary School Good2022 4.0small intake applications per place 17% 85%
Elm Hall Primary School Good2024 4.0 applications per place 48% 17%
Wethersfield CofE VC Primary School Faith Good2024 4.0small intake applications per place 88% 7%
Elmstead Primary School 2026 3.9 applications per place 47% 17%
Chipping Hill Primary School Graded · no overall grade2024 3.9 applications per place 67% 10%

The 25 with the most applications per place. Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

All 445 primary schools, by district:

Special schools and other provision

32 schools