Best Secondary Schools in Essex 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 78 schools across Essex. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Essex has 78 secondary schools, of which 9 (12%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 56 rated Good — 83% of secondary schools in Essex are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Chelmsford County High School for Girls currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Essex follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

78
Total schools
9
Outstanding
12%
Outstanding rate
63.9%
Avg KS2 SATs
42.2
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Chelmsford County High School for Girls
Secondary
 Outstanding 98 View school
🥈 King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
Secondary
 Outstanding 98 View school
🥉 Colchester County High School for Girls
Secondary
 Outstanding 98 View school
4. Saffron Walden County High School
Secondary
 Outstanding 85 View school
5. Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School
Secondary
 Good 79 View school
6. The Gilberd School
Secondary
 Outstanding 77 View school
7. Moulsham High School
Secondary
 Good 75 View school
8. Davenant Foundation School
Secondary
 Good 73 View school
9. Anglo European School
Secondary
 Good 72 View school
10. St Benedict's Catholic College
Secondary
 Good 71 View school
11. Colchester Royal Grammar School
Secondary
 Inadequate 68 View school
12. The Billericay School
Secondary
 Good 65 View school
13. Great Baddow High School
Secondary
 Good 65 View school
14. St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford
Secondary
 Good 65 View school
15. West Hatch High School
Secondary
 Good 64 View school
16. Lift Greensward
Secondary
 Good 64 View school
17. The King John School
Secondary
 Good 64 View school
18. The Boswells School
Secondary
 Good 63 View school
19. The Stanway School
Secondary
 Good 63 View school
20. Roding Valley High School
Secondary
 Good 61 View school

Related lists for Essex

All schools in EssexPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in EssexReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Essex9 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Essex

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Essex?
There are 78 secondary schools in Essex, of which 9 (12%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Essex?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Essex is Chelmsford County High School for Girls. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Essex?
Primary and secondary school applications in Essex are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Essex council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Essex?
12% of secondary schools in Essex are rated Outstanding and 72% are rated Good. 79.3% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.