Merrylands Primary School, Basildon

In its own words: "Please ensure that your online application is submitted to Essex County Council by 15th January 2027. Remember to re-submit after making any changes before the deadline."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Merrylands Primary School and Nursery, we believe passionately in the importance of recognising every pupil as a unique individual. We nurture the growth of the whole child academically, socially, emotionally, morally and physically, celebrating all achievements in a safe, caring and creative environment."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 9.30am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Merrylands Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 62% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 59% in reading and 60% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 54 families put Merrylands Primary School as their first choice and 114 named it as one of their preferences, for 57 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Merrylands Primary School are Great Berry Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 79% reading, 74% maths); The Phoenix Primary School (0.7 miles, Outstanding, 70% reading, 64% maths); Lincewood Primary Academy (0.7 miles, 70% reading, 62% maths); and Millhouse Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 69% reading, 71% maths).

Merrylands Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Merrylands Primary School is one of 11 schools run by Berlesduna Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 60% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

60 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Merrylands Primary School (as of September 2025): 77% would recommend the school, 93% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (93%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

In 2026, 35 pupils (6.5%) received SEN support and 34 (6.3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

Merrylands Primary School has a resourced provision for autism: 8 places, 9 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Laindon Rail Station, about 780 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Tillingham Green (opposite), 220 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 209 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Essex (97), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Merrylands Primary School issued 11 suspensions, 2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.