School admissions in Essex

How heavily each school was applied to for September 2026 entry, from the applications and offers every admissions authority reports to the DfE. Sorted by first preferences per place. We don't invent rankings: the order is arithmetic on a published figure, not a view about which school is better.

Reception places, September 2026

411 schools. 118 received more first preferences than they had places.

School	First preferences per place	Places
Stisted Church of England Primary AcademyBraintree	2.20	15
Westwood AcademyBenfleet	2.04	28
Kendall Church of England Primary SchoolColchester	1.90	30
St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, South WealdBrentwood	1.83	60
Maylandsea Primary SchoolChelmsford	1.80	30
Hare Street Community Primary School and NurseryHarlow	1.63	60
Chipping Hill Primary SchoolWitham	1.58	60
Baynards Primary SchoolColchester	1.57	14
Quilters Infant SchoolBillericay	1.57	60
Beehive Lane Community Primary SchoolChelmsford	1.55	29
Holy Trinity Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, HalsteadHalstead	1.55	29
Maltese Road Primary SchoolChelmsford	1.53	30
White Notley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolWitham	1.53	15
Mountnessing Church of England Primary SchoolBrentwood	1.50	30
Perryfields Infant SchoolChelmsford	1.48	60
Shenfield St. Mary's Church of England Primary SchoolBrentwood	1.46	59
Chipping Ongar Primary SchoolOngar	1.43	30
Pemberley AcademyHarlow	1.43	30
St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Burnham-on-CrouchBurnham-on-Crouch	1.43	30
Newhall Primary AcademyHarlow	1.42	60
All Saints Maldon Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolMaldon	1.40	45
Elm Hall Primary SchoolWitham	1.40	30
Hatfield Heath Primary SchoolBishop's Stortford	1.40	30
Boreham Primary SchoolChelmsford	1.38	29
Steeple Bumpstead Primary SchoolHaverhill	1.38	29
Bocking Primary SchoolBraintree	1.37	30
Danbury Park Community Primary SchoolDanbury	1.37	30
Holland Haven Primary SchoolClacton-on-Sea	1.37	60
Kingsmoor AcademyHarlow	1.37	30
St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, ColchesterColchester	1.37	30
The Beaulieu Park SchoolChelmsford	1.37	120
Great Easton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolDunmow	1.35	20
Lift WesteringsHockley	1.35	60
Woodham Ley Primary SchoolBenfleet	1.34	29
Beckers Green Primary SchoolBraintree	1.34	44
Ivy Chimneys Primary SchoolEpping	1.31	45
Lift HockleyHockley	1.31	45
The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, ChelmsfordChelmsford	1.31	45
Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary SchoolChelmsford	1.30	30
St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Sible HedinghamHalstead	1.30	30
Highfields Primary SchoolManningtree	1.29	45
Myland Community Primary SchoolColchester	1.29	45
Lee Chapel Primary SchoolBasildon	1.29	119
Kelvedon St Mary's Church of England Primary AcademyColchester	1.28	60
Chancellor Park Primary School, ChelmsfordChelmsford	1.28	29
Lexden Primary School with Unit for Hearing Impaired PupilsColchester	1.28	29
Theydon Bois Primary SchoolEpping	1.27	44
Great Dunmow Primary SchoolGreat Dunmow	1.27	60
Kelvedon Hatch Community Primary SchoolBrentwood	1.27	15
Tendring Primary SchoolClacton-on-Sea	1.27	30
St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School, ColchesterColchester	1.26	31
Chapel Hill Primary School & NurseryBasildon	1.23	60
Frinton-on-Sea Primary SchoolFrinton-on-Sea	1.23	30
Kingston Primary SchoolThundersley	1.23	30
St John's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Buckhurst HillBuckhurst Hill	1.23	60
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, Great YeldhamHalstead	1.23	22
Grange Primary SchoolWickford	1.22	45
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Primary SchoolRayleigh	1.22	59
Burnham-on-Crouch Primary SchoolBurnham-on-Crouch	1.22	60
Doddinghurst Infant SchoolBrentwood	1.22	60
Greensted Primary School & NurseryBasildon	1.22	60
Matching Green Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolHarlow	1.21	14
Canvey Island Infant School and NurseryCanvey Island	1.20	59
Home Farm Primary SchoolColchester	1.20	59
Copford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolColchester	1.20	30
Great Bardfield Primary SchoolBraintree	1.20	20
Henham and Ugley Primary and Nursery SchoolBishop's Stortford	1.20	30
St Andrew's Bulmer Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolSudbury	1.20	15
Terling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolChelmsford	1.20	15
Engaines Primary School and NurseryClacton-on-Sea	1.18	38
Great Wakering Primary AcademySouthend-on-Sea	1.18	60
Writtle Infant SchoolChelmsford	1.18	60
Lubbins Park Primary AcademyCanvey Island	1.17	29
Alresford Primary SchoolColchester	1.17	30
Boxted St Peter's Church of England SchoolColchester	1.17	30
Highwoods Community Primary SchoolColchester	1.17	60
Ingatestone Infant SchoolIngatestone	1.16	44
Bentley St Paul's Church of England Primary SchoolBrentwood	1.14	28
Fawbert and Barnard's Primary SchoolOld Harlow	1.13	30
Fingringhoe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolColchester	1.13	15
Langenhoe Community Primary SchoolColchester	1.13	15
Purford Green Primary SchoolHarlow	1.13	30
Rochford Primary and Nursery SchoolRochford	1.13	30
Wentworth Primary SchoolMaldon	1.13	60
Blackmore Primary SchoolIngatestone	1.12	25
Wix and Wrabness Primary SchoolManningtree	1.12	17
Hutton All Saints' Church of England Primary SchoolBrentwood	1.10	30
St Anne Line Catholic Infant SchoolBasildon	1.10	60
St Teresa's Catholic Primary SchoolRochford	1.10	30
West Horndon Primary SchoolBrentwood	1.10	30
Chigwell Primary AcademyChigwell	1.07	30
Hatfield Peverel Infant and Nursery SchoolChelmsford	1.07	60
High Beech CofE Primary SchoolLoughton	1.07	15
St Francis Catholic Primary School, MaldonMaldon	1.07	30
Tiptree Heath Primary SchoolColchester	1.07	30
Willowbrook Primary SchoolBrentwood	1.07	30
Northlands Primary School and NurseryBasildon	1.06	90
Great Totham Primary SchoolMaldon	1.05	59
Priory Primary School, BicknacreChelmsford	1.05	20
St Helen's Catholic Infant & Nursery SchoolBrentwood	1.05	60
St Peter's Catholic Primary SchoolBillericay	1.05	60
The Phoenix Primary SchoolBasildon	1.05	88
The Robert Drake Primary SchoolBenfleet	1.04	45
Cold Norton Primary SchoolChelmsford	1.04	23
Cann Hall Primary SchoolClacton-on-Sea	1.03	58
Clavering Primary SchoolSaffron Walden	1.03	30
Collingwood Primary SchoolCHELMSFORD	1.03	30
Grove Wood Primary SchoolRayleigh	1.03	90
Harwich Community Primary School and NurseryHarwich	1.03	30
Kirby Primary AcademyFrinton-on-Sea	1.03	30
St John's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, ColchesterCOLCHESTER	1.03	30
Thomas Willingale Primary School and NurseryLoughton	1.03	60
White Court SchoolBraintree	1.03	90
William Read Primary AcademyCanvey Island	1.03	30
St Luke's Church of England Controlled Primary SchoolColchester	1.02	45
Notley Green Primary SchoolBraintree	1.02	60
The Alderton Infant School and NurseryLoughton	1.02	60
Brightlingsea Primary School and NurseryColchester	1.01	75
Abacus Primary SchoolWickford	1.00	59
All Saints Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Great OakleyHarwich	1.00	18
Ardleigh St Mary's Church of England Primary AcademyColchester	1.00	4
Ashdon Primary SchoolSaffron Walden	1.00	7
Birchanger Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolBishop's Stortford	1.00	10
Chappel CofE Controlled Primary SchoolColchester	1.00	13
Chase Lane Primary School and NurseryHarwich	1.00	48
Chrishall Holy Trinity and St Nicholas CofE (Aided) Primary School and Pre-SchoolRoyston	1.00	15
Crays Hill Primary SchoolBillericay	1.00	1
Debden Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary AcademySaffron Walden	1.00	14
Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary AcademyBraintree	1.00	13
Ford End Church of England Primary SchoolChelmsford	1.00	8
Fordham All Saints CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolColchester	1.00	14
Gosbecks Primary SchoolColchester	1.00	22
Great Sampford Community Primary SchoolSaffron Walden	1.00	13
Great Tey Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolColchester	1.00	8
Hilltop Infant SchoolWickford	1.00	57
Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, Eight Ash Green and AldhamColchester	1.00	7
Katherine Semar Infant SchoolSaffron Walden	1.00	59
King's Ford Infant School and NurseryColchester	1.00	25
Lambourne Primary SchoolRomford	1.00	30
Manuden Primary SchoolBishop's Stortford	1.00	10
Maple Grove Primary SchoolBasildon	1.00	29
Mersea Island SchoolColchester	1.00	41
Messing Primary SchoolColchester	1.00	12
Parkwood AcademyChelmsford	1.00	19
Parsons Heath Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolColchester	1.00	29
R A Butler Infant SchoolSaffron Walden	1.00	87
Rettendon Primary SchoolChelmsford	1.00	11
Roseacres Primary SchoolBishop's Stortford	1.00	25
Roxwell Church of England Primary SchoolChelmsford	1.00	13
Spring Meadow Primary School & NurseryHarwich	1.00	33
St Joseph's Catholic Primary SchoolEssex	1.00	15
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, SWFChelmsford	1.00	16
St Luke's Park Primary SchoolWickford	1.00	26
St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolSaffron Walden	1.00	25
St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hatfield Broad OakBishop's Stortford	1.00	5
St Michael's CofE Primary Academy, RamseyHarwich	1.00	18
St Michael's Primary School and Nursery, ColchesterColchester	1.00	20
St Osyth Church of England Primary SchoolClacton-on-Sea	1.00	36
St Peter's Church of England Primary Academy, West HanningfieldChelmsford	1.00	11
St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Saffron WaldenSaffron Walden	1.00	23
The Mayflower Primary SchoolHarwich	1.00	43
Trinity St Mary's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School, South Woodham FerrersChelmsford	1.00	10
Vange Primary School and NurseryBasildon	1.00	6
Willow Brook Primary School and NurseryColchester	1.00	9
John Ray Infant SchoolBraintree	0.99	90
Montgomery Primary School, ColchesterColchester	0.99	71
Burrsville Infant AcademyClacton-on-Sea	0.98	60
Church Langley Community Primary SchoolHarlow	0.98	60
Edward Francis Primary SchoolRayleigh	0.98	60
Kents Hill Infant AcademyBenfleet	0.98	59
Elmwood Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.98	52
Hillhouse CofE Primary SchoolWaltham Abbey	0.98	49
Briscoe Primary School & NurseryBasildon	0.98	43
Leverton Primary SchoolWaltham Abbey	0.98	43
Lincewood Primary AcademyBasildon	0.98	43
Woodville Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.98	43
Cherry Tree Primary SchoolBasildon	0.98	42
Brinkley Grove Primary SchoolColchester	0.98	41
Waltham Holy Cross Primary AcademyWaltham Abbey	0.98	81
Hazelmere Infant School and NurseryColchester	0.97	36
William Martin Church of England Infant and Nursery SchoolHarlow	0.97	36
Dunmow St Mary's Primary SchoolDunmow	0.97	60
Hereward Primary SchoolLoughton	0.97	60
Millfields Primary SchoolColchester	0.97	30
Moreton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolOngar	0.97	30
Oakfield Primary SchoolWickford	0.97	60
Radwinter Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolSaffron Walden	0.97	30
Runwell Community Primary SchoolWickford	0.97	30
St Luke's Catholic AcademyHarlow	0.97	30
South Benfleet Primary SchoolBenfleet	0.97	59
Lift PlumberowHockley	0.97	88
Elsenham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolBishop's Stortford	0.97	58
Layer-de-la-Haye Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolColchester	0.97	29
Milwards Primary School and NurseryHarlow	0.97	29
Rayne Primary and Nursery SchoolBraintree	0.96	28
Great Chesterford Church of England Primary AcademySaffron Walden	0.96	27
St Mary's CofE Foundation Primary SchoolStansted	0.96	27
Ghyllgrove Primary SchoolBasildon	0.96	53
Northwick Park Primary and Nursery AcademyCanvey Island	0.96	53
Upshire Primary Foundation SchoolWALTHAM ABBEY	0.96	26
Downham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolBillericay	0.96	25
Stanway Fiveways Primary SchoolColchester	0.96	48
Earls Colne Primary School and NurseryColchester	0.96	47
St Lawrence Church of England Primary School, RowhedgeColchester	0.96	47
Tollesbury SchoolMaldon	0.96	23
Pear Tree Mead AcademyHarlow	0.96	45
St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, CoggeshallColchester	0.96	45
Lawford Mead Primary & NurseryChelmsford	0.95	44
Walton on the Naze Primary SchoolWalton on the Naze	0.95	22
St Michael's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolBraintree	0.95	43
Latton Green Primary AcademyHarlow	0.95	21
Magna Carta Primary AcademyStansted Mountfitchet	0.95	21
Roach Vale Primary SchoolColchester	0.95	21
Moulsham Infant SchoolChelmsford	0.95	83
The Willows Primary SchoolBasildon	0.95	82
Elmstead Primary SchoolColchester	0.95	20
Thundersley Primary SchoolBenfleet	0.95	59
Merrylands Primary SchoolBasildon	0.95	57
White Hall Academy and NurseryClacton-on-Sea	0.95	75
All Saints' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, DovercourtHarwich	0.94	18
Bentfield Primary School and NurseryStansted	0.94	18
Monkwick Infant and Nursery SchoolColchester	0.94	36
St Margaret's Church of England Academy, Bowers GiffordBasildon	0.94	18
St Nicholas Church of England Primary SchoolRAYLEIGH	0.94	18
Staples Road Primary SchoolLoughton	0.94	90
Howbridge Infant SchoolWitham	0.94	89
Wickford Primary SchoolWickford	0.94	51
The Flitch Green AcademyDunmow	0.94	33
Oakwood Infant and Nursery SchoolClacton-on-Sea	0.94	63
Cherry Tree AcademyColchester	0.93	15
Cressing Primary SchoolBraintree	0.93	30
Galleywood Infant SchoolCHELMSFORD	0.93	45
Jotmans Hall Primary SchoolBenfleet	0.93	30
Limebrook Primary School and NurseryMaldon	0.93	30
Little Waltham Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.93	30
Newport Primary SchoolNewport	0.93	15
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and NurseryCanvey Island	0.93	30
Stebbing Primary SchoolDunmow	0.93	30
Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and NurseryHarlow	0.93	59
Heathlands Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, West BergholtColchester	0.93	59
Winter Gardens AcademyCanvey Island	0.93	44
Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolColchester	0.93	29
Longwood Primary AcademyHarlow	0.93	58
Hamilton Primary SchoolColchester	0.93	57
Katherines Primary Academy and NurseryHarlow	0.93	28
Limes Farm Infant School and NurseryChigwell	0.93	41
Great Waltham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.93	27
South Green Infant SchoolBillericay	0.93	27
Queen Boudica Primary SchoolColchester	0.92	53
Rayleigh Primary SchoolRayleigh	0.92	52
Rickling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolSaffron Walden	0.92	13
Ridgewell Church of England Primary SchoolHalstead	0.92	13
Sir Martin Frobisher AcademyClacton-on-Sea	0.92	26
Epping Primary SchoolEpping	0.92	60
Great Berry Primary SchoolBasildon	0.92	60
Holly Trees Primary SchoolBrentwood	0.92	60
Kingswood Primary School and NurseryBasildon	0.92	60
Newlands Spring Primary and Nursery SchoolChelmsford	0.92	48
Shalford Primary SchoolBraintree	0.92	12
St John's Green Primary SchoolColchester	0.92	60
White Bridge Primary SchoolLoughton	0.92	60
Millhouse Primary SchoolBasildon	0.91	70
Braiswick Primary SchoolColchester	0.91	58
Glebe Primary SchoolRayleigh	0.91	46
Stock Church of England Primary SchoolIngatestone	0.91	23
Janet Duke Primary SchoolBasildon	0.91	57
North Primary School and NurseryColchester	0.91	57
Mildmay Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.91	68
Unity Primary AcademyColchester	0.91	34
Nazeing Primary SchoolWaltham Abbey	0.91	45
Riverside Primary SchoolHullbridge	0.91	56
Great Bentley Primary SchoolColchester	0.91	55
Whitmore Primary School and NurseryBasildon	0.91	76
Bardfield AcademyBasildon	0.91	32
Broomgrove Infant SchoolColchester	0.91	32
Larkrise Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.90	21
North Crescent Primary SchoolWickford	0.90	21
Old Heath Community Primary SchoolColchester	0.90	21
St James Church of England Primary SchoolHarlow	0.90	21
Henry Moore Primary SchoolHarlow	0.90	82
Jerounds Primary AcademyHarlow	0.90	41
Lawford Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolManningtree	0.90	41
Coopersale and Theydon Garnon Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolEpping	0.90	30
Epping Upland CofE Primary SchoolEpping	0.90	30
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, HarlowHarlow	0.90	50
Ravens AcademyClacton-on-Sea	0.90	20
Rivenhall Church of England Primary SchoolWitham	0.90	20
St Mary's Church of England Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.90	10
Buckhurst Hill Community Primary SchoolBuckhurst Hill	0.90	59
The Downs Primary School and NurseryHarlow	0.90	39
Ingrave Johnstone Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolBrentwood	0.90	29
Meadgate Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.90	29
St John Fisher Catholic Primary SchoolLoughton	0.90	29
Lakelands Primary SchoolColchester	0.90	48
Eversley Primary SchoolBasildon	0.89	46
Prettygate Infant SchoolColchester	0.89	55
Buttsbury Primary SchoolBillericay	0.89	119
The Bishop William Ward Church of England Primary SchoolColchester	0.89	18
Weeley St Andrew's CofE Primary SchoolClacton-On-Sea	0.89	18
Stanway Primary SchoolColchester	0.89	44
Great Bradfords Infant and Nursery SchoolBraintree	0.88	59
St Clare's Catholic Primary SchoolClacton-on-Sea	0.88	42
Feering Church of England Primary SchoolColchester	0.88	25
Brightside Primary SchoolBillericay	0.88	89
Belchamp St Paul Church of England Primary SchoolSudbury	0.88	8
Water Lane Primary AcademyHarlow	0.87	23
Broomfield Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.87	60
Churchgate Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, HarlowHarlow	0.87	30
Felsted Primary SchoolDunmow	0.87	30
Hogarth Primary SchoolBrentwood	0.87	30
Holland Park Primary SchoolClacton-on-Sea	0.87	60
Noak Bridge Primary SchoolBasildon	0.87	30
Purleigh Community Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.87	30
St Alban's Catholic AcademyHarlow	0.87	30
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, HalsteadHalstead	0.87	30
St John Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School DanburyChelmsford	0.87	30
St John the Baptist Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School PebmarshHalstead	0.87	15
de Vere Primary SchoolHalstead	0.87	30
Abbotsweld Primary AcademyHarlow	0.86	37
Felmore Primary SchoolBasildon	0.86	37
John Bunyan Primary School and NurseryBraintree	0.86	74
Takeley Primary SchoolDunmow	0.86	37
Wyburns Primary SchoolRayleigh	0.86	22
Roydon Primary AcademyHarlow	0.86	29
Silver End AcademyWitham	0.86	58
Tany's Dell Primary School and NurseryHarlow	0.86	50
Langham Primary AcademyColchester	0.86	14
Potter Street AcademyHarlow	0.86	21
Leigh Beck Infant School and Nursery AcademyCanvey Island	0.85	74
Ryedene Primary and Nursery SchoolBasildon	0.85	47
Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolColchester	0.85	20
The Tyrrells SchoolChelmsford	0.85	59
Canewdon Church of England Primary SchoolRochford	0.85	13
St Katherine's Church of England Primary SchoolCanvey Island	0.85	26
Freshwaters Primary AcademyHarlow	0.84	57
St James the Great Church of England Primary SchoolColchester	0.84	57
Great Leighs Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.84	25
Richard de Clare Community AcademyHalstead	0.84	50
Lyons Hall SchoolBraintree	0.84	87
Friars Grove Primary SchoolColchester	0.84	43
St. George's SchoolColchester	0.84	55
Lift AshingdonRochford	0.83	30
St Pius X Catholic Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.83	24
Woodham Walter Church of England Primary AcademyMaldon	0.83	12
Camulos AcademyColchester	0.83	58
Fairhouse Community Primary SchoolBasildon	0.83	29
St George's Church of England Primary School, Great BromleyColchester	0.82	17
Baddow Hall Infant SchoolChelmsford	0.82	56
Rolph Church of England Primary School and NurseryClacton-on-Sea	0.82	28
St Francis Catholic Primary School, BraintreeBraintree	0.82	28
Sunnymede Primary SchoolBillericay	0.82	28
Thaxted Primary SchoolDunmow	0.81	16
Barnes Farm Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.81	53
St Andrew's CofE Primary SchoolEpping	0.81	37
Maldon Primary SchoolMaldon	0.81	21
Lift HamfordWalton on the Naze	0.81	47
St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, BasildonBasildon	0.81	26
Down Hall Primary SchoolRayleigh	0.81	31
Colne Engaine Church of England Primary SchoolEssex	0.80	10
Dr Walker's CofE Primary SchoolOngar	0.80	5
Heybridge Primary SchoolMaldon	0.80	55
High Ongar Primary SchoolOngar	0.80	20
Laindon Park Primary School & NurseryBasildon	0.80	30
Larchwood Primary SchoolBrentwood	0.80	60
Rodings Primary SchoolDunmow	0.80	30
Stourview Church of England Primary AcademyMistley	0.80	5
Tolleshunt D'Arcy St Nicholas Primary AcademyMaldon	0.80	25
St Andrew's Church of England Primary Academy, Marks TeyColchester	0.79	29
Gosfield Community Primary SchoolHalstead	0.78	18
East Hanningfield Church of England Primary AcademyChelmsford	0.76	17
Helena Romanes SchoolGreat Dunmow	0.76	17
Hadleigh Infant and Nursery SchoolBenfleet	0.76	72
Westlands Community Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.76	80
The Wickford Church of England SchoolWickford	0.76	42
Holy Family Catholic Primary SchoolBenfleet	0.76	25
St Cedd's Church of England Primary SchoolSouthminster	0.75	16
Stapleford Abbotts Primary AcademyRomford	0.75	16
Waterman Primary SchoolRochford	0.75	12
Trinity Road Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.74	39
Oaklands Infant SchoolChelmsford	0.74	54
Harlowbury Primary SchoolHarlow	0.73	30
Montgomerie Primary SchoolBenfleet	0.73	30
St Joseph the Worker Catholic Primary SchoolHutton	0.73	30
Little Parndon Primary AcademyHarlow	0.73	48
Margaretting Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolIngatestone	0.73	11
Warley Primary SchoolBrentwood	0.72	60
The Bishops' Church of England and Roman Catholic Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.71	56
Holy Family Catholic Primary SchoolWitham	0.70	30
Kings Road Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.69	39
Little Hallingbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolBishop's Stortford	0.69	13
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, TillinghamSouthminster	0.69	16
Long Ridings Primary SchoolBrentwood	0.68	60
Holt Farm Infant SchoolRochford	0.67	63
Wethersfield CofE VC Primary SchoolBraintree	0.67	3
Templars AcademyWitham	0.64	47
St Giles' Church of England Primary SchoolHalstead	0.64	11
Springfield Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.63	49
Bradfield Primary SchoolManningtree	0.62	13
Acorn Infant AcademyWitham	0.60	68
St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School ToppesfieldHalstead	0.60	10
Wimbish Primary AcademySaffron Walden	0.60	5
Ongar Primary SchoolOngar	0.59	27
Stambridge Primary SchoolRochford	0.58	12
Barling Magna Primary AcademySouthend-on-Sea	0.56	18
Chigwell Row Infant SchoolChigwell	0.55	11
Christchurch Church of England Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.53	19
St Thomas of Canterbury Church of England Aided Primary School, BrentwoodBrentwood	0.48	75
Milldene Primary SchoolColchester	0.46	26
St Leonard's Church of England Primary SchoolSouthminster	0.40	57
Highwood Primary SchoolChelmsford	0.38	8
Sheering Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolBishop's Stortford	0.29	7

First preferences per place is the number of families naming the school first, divided by its published admission number. Above 1.00 means more first choices than places. It is not a ranking and not a measure of quality: a popular school can be easy to get into and a quiet one hard, because places are allocated by each school's own criteria, siblings and faith and banding first, with distance often the last tie-breaker. Applications and offers on national offer day, DfE.

Year 7 places, September 2026

78 schools. 28 received more first preferences than they had places.

School	First preferences per place	Places
King Edward VI Grammar School, ChelmsfordChelmsford	2.77	149
Colchester Royal Grammar SchoolColchester	2.19	128
Chelmsford County High School for GirlsChelmsford	2.00	179
Colchester County High School for GirlsColchester	1.69	190
Becket Keys Church of England Free SchoolBrentwood	1.56	176
The Beaulieu Park SchoolChelmsford	1.55	116
De La Salle SchoolBasildon	1.46	147
Harris Academy KingswoodBasildon	1.39	287
The King John SchoolBenfleet	1.39	346
West Hatch High SchoolChigwell	1.32	248
The Gilberd SchoolColchester	1.31	306
The Thomas Lord Audley SchoolColchester	1.30	185
The James Hornsby SchoolBasildon	1.28	202
St Benedict's Catholic CollegeColchester	1.23	173
Saffron Walden County High SchoolSaffron Walden	1.19	290
Davenant Foundation SchoolLoughton	1.15	185
Clacton County High SchoolClacton-on-Sea	1.13	303
Moulsham High SchoolChelmsford	1.13	265
Alec Hunter AcademyBraintree	1.12	202
Epping St John's Church of England SchoolEpping	1.11	175
Anglo European SchoolIngatestone	1.10	237
St Mark's West Essex Catholic SchoolHarlow	1.09	180
Great Baddow High SchoolChelmsford	1.09	245
Honywood SchoolColchester	1.07	179
Passmores AcademyHarlow	1.03	229
Debden Park High SchoolLoughton	1.03	179
St John Payne Catholic School, ChelmsfordChelmsford	1.03	182
The Boswells SchoolChelmsford	1.02	241
Lift GreenswardHockley	1.00	266
Ormiston Rivers AcademyBurnham-on-Crouch	0.99	176
Harwich and Dovercourt High SchoolHarwich	0.98	210
The FitzWimarc SchoolRayleigh	0.97	292
Beauchamps High SchoolWickford	0.97	274
William de Ferrers SchoolChelmsford	0.97	215
Plume SchoolMaldon	0.95	288
Hedingham School and Sixth FormHalstead	0.94	189
The Stanway SchoolColchester	0.93	273
The Ramsey Academy, HalsteadHalstead	0.93	112
Lift TendringFrinton-on-Sea	0.92	228
Castle View SchoolCanvey Island	0.92	237
St Martin's School BrentwoodBrentwood	0.91	316
Colne Community SchoolColchester	0.91	256
Lift New RickstonesWitham	0.91	215
Roding Valley High SchoolLoughton	0.91	244
Mayflower High SchoolBillericay	0.90	258
Sir Frederick Gibberd CollegeHarlow	0.89	138
Manningtree High SchoolManningtree	0.89	202
Notley High School and Braintree Sixth FormBraintree	0.87	206
Mark Hall AcademyHarlow	0.86	155
The Sweyne Park SchoolRayleigh	0.85	234
Forest Hall SchoolStansted Mountfitchet	0.85	116
The King Edmund SchoolRochford	0.85	199
Chelmer Valley High SchoolChelmsford	0.85	231
Lift ClactonClacton on Sea	0.84	209
The Ongar AcademyOngar	0.84	107
Stewards Academy - Science Specialist, HarlowHarlow	0.83	171
Tabor AcademyBraintree	0.83	153
Burnt Mill AcademyHarlow	0.83	209
Lift MaltingsWitham	0.82	128
Philip Morant School and CollegeColchester	0.81	305
Shenfield High SchoolBrentwood	0.81	234
Thurstable SchoolColchester	0.80	184
The Sandon SchoolChelmsford	0.77	213
Brentwood Ursuline Convent High SchoolBrentwood	0.77	175
Harris Academy BillericayBillericay	0.75	277
Harris Academy WickfordWickford	0.73	185
Helena Romanes SchoolGreat Dunmow	0.71	199
The Trinity SchoolColchester	0.71	177
Harris Academy BenfleetBenfleet	0.68	297
The DeanesBenfleet	0.68	144
King Harold Business & Enterprise AcademyWaltham Abbey	0.66	178
Colchester AcademyColchester	0.66	160
St Helena SchoolColchester	0.65	178
Paxman AcademyColchester	0.60	174
Brentwood County High SchoolBrentwood	0.59	205
Joyce Frankland Academy, NewportSaffron Walden	0.52	135
The Basildon Lower AcademyBasildon	0.40	213
Hylands SchoolChelmsford	0.16	171