The best schools in Essex

Compare 874 schools in Essex on one page: the top-rated primary and secondary schools ranked by Ofsted, SATs and GCSE results and our composite score, plus every independent and special school in the area. Top of the list: Shenfield St. Mary's Church of England Primary School (primary) and Colchester County High School for Girls (secondary).

County 874 schools

Primary schools

647 primary schools in Essex, ranked by our composite score. Showing the top 6.

Shenfield St. Mary's Church of England Primary School

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Primary
Location
Brentwood, CM15 9AL

Scotts Primary School

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Community school
Phase
Primary
Location
Hornchurch, RM12 6TH

St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School, Colchester

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Primary
Location
Colchester, CO1 2QB

Perryfields Junior School

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Primary
Location
Chelmsford, CM1 7PP

Lee Chapel Primary School

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Primary
Location
Basildon, SS16 5RU

Nelmes Primary School

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Community school
Phase
Primary
Location
Hornchurch, RM11 3BX
See all 647 primary schools in Essex

Secondary schools

147 secondary schools in Essex, ranked by our composite score. Showing the top 6.

Colchester County High School for Girls

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Secondary
Location
Colchester, CO3 3US

Westcliff High School for Boys Academy

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Secondary
Location
Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 0BP

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

Ofsted: Strong
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Secondary
Location
Chelmsford, CM1 3SX

Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Secondary
Location
Chelmsford, CM1 1RW

Colchester Royal Grammar School

Ofsted: Exceptional
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Secondary
Location
Colchester, CO3 3ND

Westcliff High School for Girls

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Secondary
Location
Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 0BS
See all 147 secondary schools in Essex

Independent schools

47 independent schools in Essex, listed by Ofsted rating where one exists, then A to Z. Showing the top 6.

Chelmsford Hospital School

Independent School
Type
Other independent school
Location
Chelmsford, CM1 7SJ

Al Madina School for Girls

Independent School
Type
Other independent school
Location
Barking, IG11 8PY

Beis Chinuch Lebonos Westcliff

Independent School
Type
Other independent school
Location
Southend-on-Sea, SS0 7AH

Open Box Education Centre

Independent School
Type
Other independent school
Location
Essex, CM16 5DN

Read Academy Education

Independent School
Type
Other independent school
Location
Ilford, IG1 3BD

Alleyn Court Preparatory School

Independent School
Type
Other independent school
Location
Southend-on-Sea, SS3 0PW
See all 47 independent schools in Essex

SEND and special schools

33 special schools in Essex, listed by Ofsted rating where one exists, then A to Z. Showing the top 6.

Glenwood School

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Community special school
Location
Benfleet, SS7 4LW

Shorefields School

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Community special school
Location
Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 6HF

Trinity School

Ofsted: Outstanding
Type
Community special school
Location
Dagenham, RM10 7SJ

New Rush Hall School

Ofsted: Strong
Type
Community special school
Location
Ilford, IG6 2LB

Woodcroft School

Ofsted: Strong
Type
Other independent special school
Location
Loughton, IG10 1SQ

Cambian Great Dunmow School

Ofsted: Good
Type
Other independent special school
Location
Essex, CM6 1XJ
See all 33 special schools in Essex

Schools in Essex: common questions

Faith schools in Essex

See every school in Essex

Browse the full list with filters for phase, Ofsted rating and our score.

Browse all Essex schools