Friars Primary School and Nursery, Southend-on-Sea

In its own words: "We are incredibly lucky at Friars Primary School and Nursery as we have lots of space! Within our grounds. we have age specific play areas, physical trails, an environmental garden and an outdoor stage. Our indoor space is equally impressive and our large classrooms provide a stimulating learning environment in which our children develop as effective learners."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include karate and dance.

In 2025, 80% of Year 6 pupils at Friars Primary School and Nursery reached the expected standard in reading and 75% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 74% in Southend-on-Sea and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 64% in reading and 68% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 57 families put Friars Primary School and Nursery as their first choice and 90 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Friars Primary School and Nursery are St George's Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 84% reading, 81% maths); Hinguar Community Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 93% reading, 90% maths); Richmond Avenue Primary and Nursery School (0.9 miles, Good, 65% reading, 68% maths); and Great Wakering Primary Academy (1 mile, Good, 77% reading, 75% maths).

Friars Primary School and Nursery's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Friars Primary School and Nursery is one of 5 schools run by Portico Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 65% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

28 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Friars Primary School and Nursery (as of September 2025): 93% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 83% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child does well at the school (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (83%).

38.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 7.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (83%) and Asian (5%).

Friars Primary School and Nursery had 27 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Shoeburyness Rail Station, about 820 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Renown (outside), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 187 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Southend-on-Sea (318).

In 2024/25, Friars Primary School and Nursery issued 18 suspensions, 4.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.