Schools across Essex
Local authority · 616 schools across 72 towns
616
444 primary · 80 secondary
234,048
93% capacity used
195
25 outstanding · 170 good
252,070
18,022 spare places
Ofsted Ratings
Best Schools in Essex
View the full league table - ranked by Ofsted, Progress 8, KS2 results and more
Area Performance (2025)
KS2 Reading
74.5%
KS2 Maths
72.6%
School Capacity
Primary Schools
7,921 spare places
Secondary Schools
6,584 spare places
Pupil Absence
Avg Overall Absence
6.3%
2024/25
Avg Persistent Absence
16.0%
2024/25
Schools Reporting
537
2024/25
Absence trend across Essex schools
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.
EHCP Timeliness
Issued Within 20 Weeks
16%
Plans Issued
1,833
Assessment Requests
4,255
Tribunal Cases
173
EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)
Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.
Admission Appeals
2025 admission appeals by school phase
Primary
371
Lodged
(1.7%)
225
Heard
35
Successful
(16%)
Primary (infant classes)
236
Lodged
(1.4%)
150
Heard
11
Successful
(7%)
Secondary
807
Lodged
(4.0%)
645
Heard
99
Successful
(15%)
Total
1,178
Lodged
(2.8%)
870
Heard
134
Successful
(15%)
Total appeals lodged per year
Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.
Towns in Essex
Colchester
100 schools
Chelmsford
82 schools
Harlow
42 schools
Basildon
35 schools
Brentwood
30 schools
Braintree
23 schools
Clacton-on-Sea
19 schools
Benfleet
18 schools
Halstead
16 schools
Saffron Walden
16 schools
Witham
15 schools
Canvey Island
15 schools
Loughton
14 schools
Wickford
14 schools
Billericay
13 schools
Maldon
13 schools
Rochford
10 schools
Bishop's Stortford
10 schools
Rayleigh
9 schools
Harwich
8 schools