Best State Schools in Essex

Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery is a well-established school with a dedicated staff led by Ms Amber Wade. Founded in 2013, it provides quality primary education for children aged 3-11. With a student-teacher ratio of 24:1, the school ensures individual attention and a supportive learning environment. The school takes pride in its strong focus on personal development, behaviour, and welfare, creating an inclusive and aspirational culture for all students. Pupils are well-prepared for their future education and have achieved outstanding results in national tests. The school continues to make improvements in teaching, with a commitment to challenging and supporting each child's unique abilities. Cooks Spinney offers a nurturing nursery program, ensuring a smooth transition into primary education. It is known for its diverse and welcoming community. Overall, Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery is a good choice for parents seeking a well-rounded education for their children.

Potter Street Academy is a primary school located in Harlow, East of England. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides a safe and well-cared for learning environment. The school has shown rapid improvement in teaching and pupils' behavior, and standards are continuously increasing. With a good overall rating from Ofsted, Potter Street Academy focuses on character development and personal growth, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education.

Unity Primary Academy is a co-ed primary school located in Colchester, East of England. With a student-teacher ratio of 20:1, the school provides a nurturing learning environment for children aged 3-11. Led by Mr Pieter Labuschagne, the school focuses on effective leadership, strong safeguarding culture, and building strong relationships between pupils and staff. While improvements in outcomes for pupils are required, Unity Primary Academy prioritizes personal development, behavior, and welfare. Offering nursery classes and catering to a diverse student body, the school aims to provide a well-rounded education.

Dilkes Academy is a primary school located in Thurrock, East of England. With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1 and a dedicated team of teachers, our school provides a nurturing environment for children aged 3-11. Our personalized learning center caters to students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. We pride ourselves on our high academic standards, with an average score of 109 in maths and 108 in reading. Our diverse and inclusive community fosters a love for learning and prepares students for success beyond the classroom.

Plume School is a co-educational secondary school located in Maldon, East of England. With a student teacher ratio of 18:1 and a high expectations culture, the school focuses on the successful progress of its pupils. The school has been rated 'Good' by Ofsted and has shown improved quality of teaching and learning. With strong relationships between pupils and staff, robust safeguarding processes, and accelerated progress of disadvantaged pupils, Plume School provides a nurturing and supportive environment for students to thrive.

John Bunyan Primary School and Nursery is a highly inclusive school located in Braintree, East of England. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides a nurturing and supportive environment for students aged 3-11. The dedicated staff, innovative training programs, and strong parent partnership ensure that pupils make good progress academically and personally. The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum with extracurricular activities, allowing students to explore their interests. Although overall attendance could be improved, the school's commitment to raising standards and the excellent resources contribute to a positive learning experience for all.

Passmores Academy is a secondary school located in Harlow, East of England. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school provides a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students aged 11-16. The school has a good overall grade and focuses on high expectations, personal development, and welfare. With a rich and imaginative curriculum, Passmores Academy offers outstanding care for pupils in its specialist resource base. The school also prioritizes staff well-being and provides effective support for students with special educational needs. With a focus on inspirational leadership and the use of cutting-edge technologies, Passmores Academy aims to continuously improve and provide a strong foundation for students' academic and personal growth.

Colchester Academy is a secondary school located in Colchester, East of England. With a strong leadership team and dedicated teachers, the school focuses on improving outcomes for all students. They effectively use pupil premium funding to support disadvantaged pupils. The school prepares students well for their next stage of education, although English outcomes for disadvantaged pupils still need improvement. Overall, Colchester Academy provides a safe and nurturing environment for students to thrive and achieve their potential.

Hazelmere Junior School is a thriving primary school located in Colchester, East of England. With a dedicated headteacher and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, our school provides a supportive learning environment for children aged 7-11. Our commitment to academic excellence is reflected in our good Ofsted report and impressive exam results. We prioritize the well-being and personal development of our students, ensuring a safe and diverse community. Come and join our vibrant school where every child is nurtured and encouraged to reach their full potential.

De La Salle School is a thriving Catholic secondary school for boys and girls aged 11-16 in Basildon, East of England. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and a strong focus on academic progress, it is dedicated to helping students achieve their full potential. The school promotes personal and spiritual development, fosters a respectful and inclusive community, and provides a secure and happy learning environment. With good exam results and a supportive staff, De La Salle School is committed to preparing students for future education, employment, or training.

Water Lane Primary Academy is a friendly and inclusive school in Harlow, East of England. With a student teacher ratio of 21:1, our dedicated staff provide valuable support and challenge. We have a Good Ofsted rating, with successful leadership and improved teaching. Our focus on Visible Learning techniques encourages independence and resilience in our students, helping them achieve their highest potential.

The Billericay School is a co-educational secondary school located in Billericay, East of England. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school provides a focused and high-quality education. The school has a good overall grade and offers a high-quality curriculum including careers guidance. Pupils feel safe and cared for, with good development of their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural awareness. The school also boasts a well-regarded sixth-form provision. However, there is room for improvement in supporting disadvantaged pupils and monitoring behavior and SEN/disabilities.

Highwood Primary School is a small, welcoming village school located just outside of Chelmsford. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, our dedicated staff provide a stimulating and engaging curriculum. Our inclusive approach and mixed-year group classes ensure a personalised learning experience for each child. With a Good rating from Ofsted, our school promotes resilience, self-assurance, and high academic success. Our forest school setting allows for an expanded curriculum and outdoor learning opportunities.

Market Field School is an all-through co-ed school in Elmstead, East of England. With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, the school offers a nurturing environment for students aged 5-19 with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Moderate Learning Difficulty. The school has a Good overall grade from Ofsted, excelling in personal development and providing a safe learning environment. Although the exam results may not be the highest, the school focuses on holistic development and offers outstanding support to each student.

St Helena School is a well-led secondary school located in Colchester, East of England. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 and a harmonious community, the school provides consistently good teaching and learning for students aged 11-16. The school has achieved a Good rating from Ofsted, demonstrating its effectiveness in leadership, teaching, personal development, and outcomes for pupils. While SEN pupils may require better progress and improvements in modern foreign language teaching, St Helena School prioritizes safeguarding and provides a positive learning environment for students.

Ormiston Park Academy is a secondary school located in Thurrock, East of England. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and a strong focus on high expectations and rapid improvement, the school provides a supportive learning environment for its students. The dedicated leadership team ensures the curriculum pathways are skillfully developed, leading to good progress for all pupils. With a culture of pride and respect, rare bullying incidents and good support for students with special educational needs and/or disabilities, Ormiston Park Academy is committed to the personal development and welfare of its students.

The Boswells School is a highly regarded 11–18 year old secondary school in Chelmsford, Essex. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and a clear vision for education, the school offers a high-quality learning environment for students. The school maintains good academic standards and has a good overall effectiveness rating. It places a strong emphasis on inclusion, with every pupil valued and encouraged. The school offers a broad range of extracurricular activities to promote individual growth. It is well-liked, academically successful, and oversubscribed, making it a top choice for parents in the area.

Great Baddow High School is a secure and welcoming secondary school located in Great Baddow, East of England. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to reach their full potential both academically and as confident individuals. The school offers a specialist science education and has achieved good grades in various areas, including achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, and leadership and management. With a focus on ongoing professional development for staff, Great Baddow High School ensures the success and well-being of its students.

New Rickstones Academy is a co-educational secondary school located in Rivenhall, East of England. With a strong focus on academic progress and rising standards, the school offers a supportive and enriching learning environment for students aged 11-18. The Academy has a good overall grade from Ofsted, with significant improvements in teaching and learning. With modern facilities and a positive school culture, New Rickstones Academy provides a quality education for every child.

St Benedict's Catholic College is a secondary school in Colchester, East of England, providing quality education in a Christian environment. With a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, the school focuses on academic excellence and compassionate culture. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, ensuring students have opportunities to succeed and flourish. Safeguarding is prioritized, and parents support the school's vision. The school's overall grade is Good, with pupils' attainment in core subjects above average. However, improvements in teaching and progress in creative and technology subjects are needed. Disadvantaged pupils with high prior attainment require further support for better progress.