The best Catholic schools in Essex

There are 66 schools with a Catholic religious character in Essex listed on FindGreatSchools, spanning primary and secondary, state-funded and independent. Each listing links to a full profile with Ofsted information, results and demographics where published.

Anyone can apply. State-funded faith schools must admit all applicants when they have places available; when oversubscribed, their published admissions criteria may give priority to families of the faith. Independent faith schools set their own admissions policies, so check each school's website for details.

State-funded Catholic schools receive standard Ofsted inspections, plus a separate inspection of their religious character and religious education under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005. Independent Catholic schools are inspected by Ofsted or, for association schools, the Independent Schools Inspectorate.