The Top Schools in Essex: Helping Your Family Make the Move

Are you moving house to Essex with a young family? When you’re moving house with children and teenagers, finding the right school is so important.

Essex is an absolute treasure trove of natural beauty, rich British heritage and thriving communities. It’s a lovely place to raise your kids, and we’re delighted to offer family-friendly new-build developments across Essex. If you’re thinking about making the move, finding a suitable school is one of the first things to think about.

We’re going to take you through the best primary, secondary and SEN (special educational needs) schools in Essex, according to Ofsted reports. For further details, please contact the schools directly, but hopefully our guide will help you start your search.

1. Canvey Junior School

Located in Canvey Island, Essex, this junior school is known for its commitment to providing a stimulating and caring environment where children can thrive. It places a strong emphasis on both academic and personal development.

Key Features:

• Focus on the holistic development of students
• Broad and balanced curriculum
• Range of extracurricular activities and clubs
• Emphasis on fostering a positive and inclusive school community

2. Quilters Junior School

This Billericay school is recognised for its nurturing environment and high academic standards. The school aims to develop confident and independent learners.

Key Features:

• High academic expectations
• Supportive and nurturing learning environment
• Focus on developing independence and confidence
• Wide variety of extracurricular opportunities

3. Katherine Semar Junior School

Based in Saffron Walden, Essex, this school is known for its vibrant and dynamic learning environment. It focuses on encouraging creativity and curiosity among its students.

Key Features:

• Emphasis on creative and engaging learning
• Broad curriculum with a variety of subjects
• Strong focus on student welfare and happiness
• Wide range of clubs and extracurricular activities

4. Kingston Primary School

Located in Kingston upon Thames, this primary school is noted for its inclusive ethos and its commitment to providing a broad and balanced education. It aims to foster a love of learning in a supportive environment.

Key Features:

• Inclusive and supportive school culture
• Broad and balanced curriculum
• Emphasis on nurturing a love for learning
• Range of extracurricular and enrichment activities

5. Lee Chapel Primary School

This primary school in Basildon is known for its high standards and its focus on individual pupil achievement. It offers a wide range of learning experiences to cater to diverse needs.

Key Features:

• High expectations for student achievement
• Focus on individual pupil progress
• A broad range of learning experiences
• Strong emphasis on values and community involvement

Top 5 Secondary Schools in Essex

1. Colchester County High School for Girls

This is a selective grammar school in Colchester, known for its academic excellence. It offers a broad curriculum and a wide range of extracurricular activities, within a supportive and ambitious environment. This school is just 4.5 miles from our Willow Grove development in Great Horkesley.

Key Features:

• High academic standards and selective entry
• Broad curriculum with a strong focus on STEM subjects
• Wide range of extracurricular activities
• Emphasis on developing leadership and independent thinking

2. Westcliff High School for Boys

Located in Westcliff-on-Sea, this is a selective grammar school known for its strong academic record and emphasis on all-around development. It offers a diverse curriculum and numerous extracurricular opportunities.

Key Features:

• Selective grammar school with high academic expectations
• Strong focus on holistic education
• A wide variety of sports, clubs, and societies
• Emphasis on character development and leadership

3. Chelmsford County High School for Girls

This highly selective grammar school in Chelmsford is renowned for its exceptional academic achievements. It provides a stimulating environment that encourages intellectual curiosity and independent thought. It’s convenient for our new Beaulieu development.

Key Features:

• Highly selective and academically rigorous
• Diverse and challenging curriculum
• Strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity and independent learning
• Wide range of extracurricular activities and enrichment programs

4. King Edward VI Grammar School (Chelmsford)

Known as KEGS, this selective grammar school in Chelmsford has a long history of academic excellence. It offers a broad education with a strong emphasis on developing analytical and independent thinking skills. It’s open to boys for years 7-11 and its sixth form is co-educational.

Key Features:

• Selective entry with a focus on high academic standards
• Broad and balanced curriculum
• Strong emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• A wide array of extracurricular activities, including arts, sports, and clubs

5. Westcliff High School for Girls

This Westcliff-on-Sea selective grammar school is known for its nurturing environment and academic success. It aims to provide a well-rounded education, fostering both personal and intellectual growth.

Key Features:

• Selective grammar school with a focus on academic achievement
• Supportive learning environment
• Broad curriculum with a wide range of subjects
• Emphasis on personal development and extracurricular engagement

Top 5 SEN Schools in Essex

1. Shorefields School

Located in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, Shorefields School caters for students with a wide range of special educational needs. The school is dedicated to providing a supportive and nurturing environment.

Key Features:

• Specialises in special educational needs
• Individualised learning approaches
• Focus on developing life skills and independence
• A supportive, nurturing environment

2. The Pioneer School

Based in Basildon, The Pioneer School is a special school catering to pupils with severe and complex learning difficulties. The school is committed to providing a stimulating and inclusive learning environment.

Key Features:

• Caters to severe and complex learning difficulties
• Stimulating and inclusive learning environment
• Emphasis on communication and sensory needs
• Range of therapeutic and specialist support

3. Thriftwood School

Thriftwood School in Chelmsford offers education for pupils with moderate learning difficulties and additional complex needs. The school focuses on providing a balanced and relevant curriculum.

Key Features:

• Focus on moderate learning difficulties
• Balanced and relevant curriculum
• Emphasis on personal development and independence
• Wide range of extracurricular and enrichment activities

4. Columbus School and College

Columbus School and College is a setting in Chelmsford that caters for a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities. It’s known for its personalised learning strategies and its focus on life skills.

Key Features:

• A wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities catered for
• Personalised learning strategies
• Focus on life skills and independence
• Strong emphasis on holistic development

5. Glenwood School

Glenwood School in Benfleet provides an education for pupils with a range of multiple, profound and severe learning difficulties. The school aims to provide a stimulating and caring environment where students can achieve their full potential.

Key Features:

• Specialises in severe learning difficulties
• Stimulating and caring learning environment
• Focus on individual potential and achievement
• Range of therapeutic and specialist support

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