The best schools in Essex

As our team spends more and more time in Essex, developing some of our favourite new locations, the area continually — and very pleasantly — surprises us. It’s an absolute treasure trove of natural beauty, rich British heritage and thriving community.

Essex is a place steeped in history, charm and life. From Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town, to Southend pier. However, if you’re considering a home in Essex, you might be even more interested in its future than its past. In particular, the best schools available for your young (and not so young) learners.

We’re pretty happy to report that you’ll find an excellent choice of schools throughout the region, and for every stage of education.

We’re going to take you through the best schools in Essex, primary, secondary and SEN, according to both OFSTED and the Real School Guide 2020.

 

We’ve found the best primary schools in Essex

Of Essex’s 542 primary schools, over 70 have been rated Outstanding by OFSTED, with over 75% of the remainder being rated Good. Whichever decision you make, you know that your children’s future is in excellent hands.

As there isn’t room to fit in all of the high quality schools available, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best primary schools in Essex. We chose these because of their Outstanding OFSTED score and the percentage of students performing at a higher level.

  1. Canvey Junior School
  2. Quilters Junior School
  3. Katherine Semar Junior School
  4. Kingston Primary School
  5. Lee Chapel Primary School
  6. Shenfield St. Mary’s CE Primary School
  7. Beehive Lane Community Primary School
  8. Perryfields Junior School
  9. St Peter’s Catholic Primary School
  10. Chipping Hill Primary School

So, ten of the best primary schools in Essex – but there are plenty more in the area. Visit the government’s school comparison site and you’ll find many schools rated Good outperforming Outstanding schools, depending on the criteria that’s important to you.

 

The best secondary schools in Essex

One of our favourite parts about our job is we build houses that become well-loved family homes for the long haul. So, as your young learners become savvy students, you’ll want to know that they’re well catered for too.

Of 130 secondary schools in Essex, 19 have been ranked Outstanding, and a further 56 have been ranked Good. So whether you’re comfortably ensconced in the country or enjoying the coast at Brightlingsea, you’ll find plenty of excellent options.

Below, we’ve listed the 10 best performing secondary schools in Essex, according to the Real Schools Guide 2020.

As always, you can also visit the government school comparison site to get all the additional details you need, and to find out more about a particular school.

  1. Colchester County High School for Girls
  2. Westcliff High School for Boys
  3. Chelmsford County High School for Girls
  4. King Edward VI Grammar School (Chelmsford)
  5. Westcliff High School for Girls
  6. Colchester Royal Grammar School
  7. Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School
  8. Southend High School for Boys
  9. Southend High School for Girls
  10. Moulsham High School (Chelmsford)

The Real Schools Guide rankings are based on a combination of factors, including exam results, pupil-teacher ratios, and attendance.

 

Top SEN Schools in Essex

For students with special educational needs, Essex maintains its impressive reputation for quality and care. Below, we’ve ranked the top SEN schools in Essex based on an Outstanding OFSTED rating. As previously mentioned, it’s always worth visiting the schools comparison site to learn more. After all, the school may rank highly here but you may find a better match for your own requirements.

  1. Shorefields School
  2. The Pioneer School
  3. Thriftwood School
  4. Columbus School and College
  5. Glenwood School

When you know your family is well taken care of, it’s easy to feel truly at home. It’s no accident that we’ve fallen in love with Essex and we’re excited to help families of all shapes and sizes find a home there, too.

 

Top Places To Live

We’re not the only ones in love with Essex, either. The Sunday Times recently named Dedham Vale as one of the top ten places in their 2021 Best Places to Live Report. A few miles from this spectacular area, you’ll find the equally beautiful Hopkins community of River Reach in Mistley, Chitts Hill in Colchester and Bergholt Place in West Bergholt.

And if you’re itching for a little salty sea air, you can discover more beautifully crafted Hopkins homes in Brightlingsea at our Colne Meadow development.

However, if you’re looking for a move further afield then why not read through our other guides covering the best schools in Norfolk for more information.

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