FIGURES from Essex County Council show that 98.37 per cent of primary school-age children starting reception in September 2025 have been offered one of their parents’ preferred schools.

However, over half of those choosing Essex’s most oversubscribed primary school – Chapel Hill Primary School and Nursery – as a first preference failed to get a place.

Of the 63 applicants who put it down as their first preference starting in September 2025, only 29 were offered a place—a 46 per cent success rate.

Altogether 30 places were available. There was one second-place allocation.

This year, Essex County Council received 15,618 primary school applications. Of these, 14,107 pupils due to start in Reception in September 2025 have been offered their parents’ or carers’ first preference of primary school. This is 90.33 per cent of the total cohort. In 2024, 91.27 per cent received their first-place preference.

Another 5.86 per cent of children were offered their parents’ second preference of school. This means 96.19 per cent of parents have been offered their first or second preference.

Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “Starting school for the first time is a hugely important milestone in any child’s life. I wish all children in Essex starting their academic journeys in September every success.

“We continue to invest in creating additional primary school capacity so that as many parents and carers as possible receive their preference of school for their child.”

Those who applied online will receive confirmation by email or by visiting the Essex County Council website.

More information about school place planning in Essex is available at: https://www.essex.gov.uk/school-organisation-and-place-planning/school-organisation-and-place-planning-service.

The figures only include areas governed by Essex County Council and don’t include Southend or Thurrock, which have independent unitary authorities.

School P1 A1 %
Chapel Hill Primary School and Nursery 63 29 46.03
Elm Hall Primary School 51 27 52.94
Beehive Lane Community Primary School 55 30 54.55
Terling CE (VA) Primary School 16 9 56.25
Westwood Academy 51 30 58.82
High Beech CofE Primary School 22 13 59.09
St John’s CE Primary, Buckhurst Hill 98 58 59.18
St Peter’s CE (VA) Primary, South Weald 100 60 60.00
Holy Trinity CE (VC) Primary School, Halstead 49 30 61.22
Kingston Primary School 49 30 61.22
Kendall CE Primary 48 30 62.50
Stisted CE Primary Academy 24 15 62.50
Lee Chapel Primary School 176 112 63.64
Maltese Road Primary 44 28 63.64
Chancellor Park Primary School 44 29 65.91
Quilters Infant School 91 60 65.93
St John’s CE (VC) Primary School, Danbury 45 30 66.67
St Mary’s CE (VA) Primary, Burnham-on-Crouch 42 28 66.67
Greensted Primary School and Nursery 82 55 67.07
Hare Street Community Primary School and Nursery 87 59 67.82
Perryfields Infant School 83 57 68.67
Maylandsea Primary School 42 29 69.05
Noak Bridge Primary School 42 29 69.05
Purford Green Primary School 42 29 69.05
Woodham Ley Primary School – Academy 42 29 69.05
Great Easton CE (VA) Primary School 26 18 69.23
Great Dunmow Primary School 86 60 69.77
Wentworth Primary School 81 57 70.37
St John’s CE (VC) Primary School, Colchester 38 27 71.05
Henry Moore Primary School 80 57 71.25
Lyons Hall Primary 83 60 72.29
Hatfield Heath Primary School 40 29 72.50
Limebrook Primary School and Nursery 34 25 73.53
Hereward Primary School 65 48 73.85
The Phoenix Primary School 108 80 74.07
Writtle Infant School 81 60 74.07
Newhall Primary Academy and Nursery 74 55 74.32
Hatfield Peverel Infant School 78 58 74.36
Highfields Primary School 59 44 74.58
Boxted St Peter’s CE Primary School 36 27 75.00
Burnham-on-Crouch Primary School 72 54 75.00
Layer-de-la-Haye CE (VC) Primary School 40 30 75.00
St Luke’s Park Primary School 40 30 75.00
All Saints’ Maldon CE (VC) Primary 49 37 75.51
Barnes Farm Primary School 74 56 75.68
Chipping Hill Primary School 74 56 75.68
Fawbert and Barnard’s Primary School, Harlow 33 25 75.76
Newlands Spring Primary and Nursery School 73 56 76.71
Debden C of E Primary Academy 26 20 76.92
Elmstead Primary School 39 30 76.92
Bentley St Paul’s Church of England Primary School 35 27 77.14
Moreton CE VA Primary School 35 27 77.14
Purleigh Community Primary School 35 27 77.14
Theydon Bois Primary School 57 44 77.19
Thomas Willingale School 75 58 77.33
Magna Carta Primary Academy 38 30 78.95
Highwoods Community Primary (Colchester) 72 57 79.17
Home Farm Primary School 73 58 79.45
The Beaulieu Park School 144 115 79.86
Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School 35 28 80.00
Rivenhall Church of England Primary School 20 16 80.00
Danbury Park Community Primary School 41 33 80.49
Dedham CE (VC) Primary School 37 30 81.08
Kingsmoor Academy 37 30 81.08
R A Butler Infant Academy 111 90 81.08
Great Totham Primary School 69 56 81.16
Holly Trees Primary School 64 52 81.25
Warley Primary School 64 52 81.25
Parsons Heath CE (VC) Primary School 33 27 81.82
St Clare’s Catholic Primary School 55 45 81.82
The Cathedral CE (Aided) School, Chelmsford 55 45 81.82
Shenfield St Mary’s CE Primary School 73 60 82.19
Westerings Primary Academy 73 60 82.19
Boreham Primary School 34 28 82.35
Mountnessing Church of England Primary School 35 29 82.86
Chipping Ongar Primary School 36 30 83.33
Great Leighs Primary School 36 30 83.33
Latton Green Primary School 36 30 83.33
Messing Primary School 12 10 83.33
St Giles’ CE Primary 18 15 83.33
St Lawrence CE Primary School, Rowhedge 36 30 83.33
Cann Hall Primary School 67 56 83.58
Hamilton Primary School 69 58 84.06
Holland Haven Primary School 69 58 84.06
Rodings Primary School 32 27 84.38
St Helen’s Catholic Infant School, Brentwood 60 51 85.00
Dunmow St Mary’s Primary School 56 48 85.71
Kingswood Primary School 56 48 85.71
St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, Hawkwell 35 30 85.71
Myland Community Primary School 45 39 86.67
Roxwell Church of England Primary School 15 13 86.67
Buckhurst Hill Community Primary School 53 46 86.79
Canvey Island Infant School 69 60 86.96
Great Berry Primary School 63 55 87.30
Ashingdon Primary Academy 32 28 87.50
Gosfield Primary School 24 21 87.50
Baynards Primary School 17 15 88.24
Churchgate CE (VA) Primary School, Harlow 26 23 88.46
East Hanningfield CE Primary Academy 18 16 88.89
Staples Road Primary School 90 80 88.89
Meadgate Primary School 28 25 89.29
Epping Primary School 66 59 89.39
Birch CE (VA) Primary School 19 17 89.47
Cold Norton Primary 19 17 89.47
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Harwich 19 17 89.47
Wix and Wrabness Primary School 19 17 89.47
St George’s CE Primary School, Great Bromley 20 18 90.00
Oaklands Infant School 61 55 90.16
St Thomas More’s Catholic Primary, Colchester 32 29 90.63
Willowbrook Primary School, Brentwood 32 29 90.63
Church Langley Community Primary School 43 39 90.70
Abacus Primary School 65 59 90.77
Notley Green Primary School 65 59 90.77
Beckers Green Primary School 44 40 90.91
Kirby Primary School 33 30 90.91
St Peter’s CE (VC) Primary, Sible Hedingham 33 30 90.91
Tiptree, St Luke’s CE (VC) Primary School 33 30 90.91
Brightside Primary School 90 82 91.11
Chigwell Primary Academy 23 21 91.30
Blackmore Primary School 24 22 91.67
St Anne Line Catholic Infant School 60 55 91.67
St Peter’s Catholic Primary, Billericay 60 55 91.67
Elmwood Primary School 65 60 92.31
Northlands Primary School and Nursery Academy 93 86 92.47
Old Heath Community Primary School 27 25 92.59
Holy Family Catholic Primary, Witham 28 26 92.86
Ingrave Johnstone CE (VA) Primary School 28 26 92.86
Lambourne Primary School 28 26 92.86
Little Waltham CE (VA) Primary School 28 26 92.86
Katherine Semar Infant School 58 54 93.10
Moulsham Infant School 88 82 93.18
St Luke’s Catholic Primary School (Harlow) 30 28 93.33
White Notley CE (VC) Primary School 15 14 93.33
Lexden Primary School with HIU and Nursery 31 29 93.55
St Alban’s Catholic Primary School 31 29 93.55
St John Fisher Catholic Primary School 31 29 93.55
Lawford Mead Primary School – Academy 47 44 93.62
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Primary 63 59 93.65
Grove Wood Primary School 96 90 93.75
Lawford CE (VA) Primary School 54 51 94.44
Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery 56 53 94.64
Engaines Primary School 38 36 94.74
Elsenham CE (VC) Primary School 58 55 94.83
Great Wakering Primary Academy 60 57 95.00
Lakelands Primary School 61 58 95.08
Montgomerie Primary 21 20 95.24
Hogarth Primary School 23 22 95.65
St Pius X Catholic Primary School 24 23 95.83
Holland Park Primary School 49 47 95.92
Howbridge Infant School 74 71 95.95
The Bishops’ CE and Catholic Primary School 55 53 96.36
Hutton All Saints’ CE Primary School 28 27 96.43
Pemberley Academy 28 27 96.43
Potter Street Academy 28 27 96.43
Milwards Primary School and Nursery Academy 29 28 96.55
St James’ CE Primary School, Colchester 29 28 96.55
de Vere Primary School 29 28 96.55
Heathlands CE (VC) Primary, West Bergholt 59 57 96.61
North Primary School and Nursery 60 58 96.67
Rochford Primary and Nursery School – Academy 30 29 96.67
Millfields Primary School 31 30 96.77
South Benfleet Primary 62 60 96.77
Upshire Primary Foundation School 31 30 96.77
Millhouse Primary School 73 71 97.26
Ivy Chimneys Primary School 39 38 97.44
Thundersley Primary School 42 41 97.62
The Alderton Infant School 43 42 97.67
Baddow Hall Infant School 48 47 97.92
Tyrrells Primary Academy 48 47 97.92
Buttsbury Primary School 114 112 98.25
John Ray Infant School 88 87 98.86
Abbotsweld Primary School 39 39 100
Acorn Academy 41 41 100
All Saints CE (VA) Primary, Great Oakley 10 10 100
All Saints’ CE (VA) Primary, Dovercourt 16 16 100
Alresford Primary School 28 28 100
Ardleigh St Mary’s CE Primary Academy 7 7 100
Ashdon Primary School 5 5 100
Bardfield Academy 35 35 100
Barling Magna Primary Academy 15 15 100
Belchamp St Paul Church of England Primary School 6 6 100
Bentfield Primary School and Nursery 13 13 100
Birchanger CE (VC) Primary School 8 8 100
Bocking Primary School 27 27 100
Bradfield Primary School 9 9 100
Braiswick Primary School 40 40 100
Brightlingsea Primary School 84 84 100
Brinkley Grove Primary School 36 36 100
Briscoe Primary School & Nursery Academy 30 30 100
Broomfield Primary School 44 44 100
Broomgrove Infant School 38 38 100
Burrsville Infant Academy 53 53 100
Camulos Academy 52 52 100
Canewdon Church of England Primary School 8 8 100
Chappel CofE Primary School 11 11 100
Chase Lane Primary School and Nursery 56 56 100
Cherry Tree Primary School (Basildon) 29 29 100
Cherry Tree Primary School and SLU (Colchester) 14 14 100
Chigwell Row Infant School 9 9 100
Chrishall Holy Trinity & St Nicholas CE Primary 8 8 100
Christchurch Church of England Primary School 5 5 100
Clavering Primary School 21 21 100
Collingwood Primary School 29 29 100
Colne Engaine CE (VA) Primary School 14 14 100
Coopersale & Theydon Garnon CE (VC) Primary 26 26 100
Copford CE VC Primary School 23 23 100
Crays Hill Primary School 1 1 100
Cressing Primary School 22 22 100
Doddinghurst Infant School 43 43 100
Down Hall Primary School 27 27 100
Downham CE (VC) Primary School 16 16 100
Dr Walker’s CE (VC) Primary School, Fyfield 3 3 100
Earls Colne Primary School and Nursery 51 51 100
Edward Francis Primary School 55 55 100
Epping Upland CE Primary School 25 25 100
Eversley Primary School 46 46 100
Fairhouse Primary School 40 40 100
Farnham CE Primary School 2 2 100
Feering Church of England Primary School 21 21 100
Felmore Primary School 39 39 100
Felsted Primary School 21 21 100
Finchingfield St John’s CofE Primary Academy 10 10 100
Fingringhoe CE (VA) Primary School 10 10 100
Ford End CE Primary School 4 4 100
Fordham All Saints CofE Primary School 11 11 100
Freshwaters Primary Academy 40 40 100
Friars Grove Primary School 48 48 100
Frinton-on-Sea Primary School 26 26 100
Galleywood Infant School 42 42 100
Ghyllgrove Primary School 56 56 100
Glebe Primary School 46 46 100
Gosbecks Primary School 22 22 100
Grange Primary School 41 41 100
Great Bardfield Primary School 20 20 100
Great Bentley Primary School 31 31 100
Great Bradfords Infant and Nursery School 65 65 100
Great Chesterford CE Primary Academy 18 18 100
Great Sampford Community Primary School 12 12 100
Great Tey CE (VC) Primary School 9 9 100
Great Waltham CE (VC) Primary School 20 20 100
Hadleigh Infant And Nursery School – Academy 70 70 100
Hamford Primary Academy 52 52 100
Harlowbury Primary School 19 19 100
Harwich Community Primary School and Nursery 29 29 100
Hazelmere Infant School and Nursery 37 37 100
Helena Romanes School 14 14 100
Henham And Ugley Primary & Nursery School 29 29 100
Heybridge Primary School 26 26 100
High Ongar Primary School 10 10 100
Highwood Primary School (Chelmsford) 7 7 100
Hillhouse CofE Primary School 55 55 100
Hilltop Infant School 61 61 100
Hockley Primary School 37 37 100
Holt Farm Infant School 62 62 100
Holy Cross Catholic Primary Academy (Harlow) 44 44 100
Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Benfleet 18 18 100
Holy Trinity CE Primary, Eight Ash Green & Aldham 12 12 100
Ingatestone Infant Academy 41 41 100
Janet Duke Primary 48 48 100
Jerounds Primary Academy 31 31 100
John Bunyan Primary School and Nursery 44 44 100
Jotmans Hall Primary School 34 34 100
Katherines Primary School 24 24 100
Kelvedon Hatch Community Primary School 16 16 100
Kelvedon St Mary’s Primary Academy 50 50 100
King’s Ford Infant School and Nursery 26 26 100
Kings Road Primary School 39 39 100
Laindon Park Primary School & Nursery 20 20 100
Langenhoe Community Primary School 11 11 100
Langham Primary Academy 7 7 100
Larchwood Primary School 45 45 100
Larkrise Primary School 18 18 100
Leigh Beck Infant and Nursery – Academy 66 66 100
Leverton Primary School 49 49 100
Limes Farm Infant School and Nursery – Academy 35 35 100
Lincewood Primary Academy 33 33 100
Little Hallingbury CE (VA) Primary School 15 15 100
Little Parndon Primary School 27 27 100
Long Ridings Primary School 35 35 100
Longwood Primary Academy 49 49 100
Lubbins Park Primary Academy 22 22 100
Maldon Primary School 18 18 100
Manuden Primary School 7 7 100
Maple Grove Primary School 30 30 100
Margaretting Church of England School 3 3 100
Matching Green CE (VC) Primary School 3 3 100
Merrylands Primary School 43 43 100
Mersea Island School 42 42 100
Mildmay Primary School 68 68 100
Milldene Primary School 20 20 100
Mistley Norman CEP now Stourview CE Primary 4 4 100
Monkwick Infant School and Nursery – Academy 38 38 100
Montgomery Infant School and Nursery, Colchester 68 68 100
Nazeing Primary School 25 25 100
Newport Primary School 25 25 100
North Crescent Primary School 16 16 100
Northwick Park Primary and Nursery Academy 73 73 100
Oakfield Primary School 56 56 100
Oakwood Infant and Nursery School 46 46 100
Ongar Primary School 13 13 100
Parkwood Academy 14 14 100
Pear Tree Mead Academy 54 54 100
Plumberow Primary Academy 74 74 100
Prettygate Infant School 54 54 100
Priory County Primary, Bicknacre 18 18 100
Queen Boudica Primary 47 47 100
Radwinter CE (VA) Primary School 20 20 100
Ravens Academy 25 25 100
Rayleigh Primary School 49 49 100
Rayne Primary and Nursery School 22 22 100
Rettendon Primary School 9 9 100
Richard de Clare Community Primary School 43 43 100
Rickling CE (V/A) Primary School 9 9 100
Ridgewell Church of England Primary School 9 9 100
Riverside Primary School 58 58 100
Roach Vale Primary School 15 15 100
Rolph CofE Primary School 24 24 100
Roseacres Primary School 24 24 100
Roydon Primary School 20 20 100
Runwell Community Primary School 38 38 100
Ryedene Primary and Nursery School 40 40 100
Shalford Primary School 8 8 100
Sheering CE (VC) Primary School 4 4 100
Silver End Academy 43 43 100
Sir Martin Frobisher Academy 19 19 100
South Green Infant School 31 31 100
Spring Meadow Primary School 32 32 100
Springfield Primary School 29 29 100
St Andrew’s C of E Primary School, Bulmer 10 10 100
St Andrew’s CE (VA) Primary School, Halstead 20 20 100
St Andrew’s CE (VA) Primary School, Weeley 13 13 100
St Andrew’s CE (VA) Primary, North Weald 35 35 100
St Andrew’s CE (VC) Primary, Great Yeldham 19 19 100
St Andrew’s CE Primary Academy, Marks Tey 21 21 100
St Cedd’s Church of England Primary School 22 22 100
St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree 23 23 100
St Francis Catholic Primary School, Maldon 21 21 100
St George’s School (Colchester) 59 59 100
St James’ CE (VA) Primary School, Harlow 15 15 100
St John The Baptist CE (VA) Primary Pebmarsh 14 14 100
St John’s Green Primary School 54 54 100
St Joseph the Worker Catholic Primary School 23 23 100
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, SWF 14 14 100
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, Canvey Island 22 22 100
St Katherine’s CE Primary School 14 14 100
St Leonard’s Church of England Primary School 31 31 100
St Margaret’s CE (VA) Primary, Bowers Gifford 24 24 100
St Margaret’s CE (VC) Primary, Toppesfield 7 7 100
St Mary’s CE (Foundation) Primary Stansted 25 25 100
St Mary’s CE (VA) Primary, Hatfield Broad Oak 6 6 100
St Mary’s CE (VA) Primary, Saffron Walden 20 20 100
St Mary’s CE Primary School, Woodham Ferrers 4 4 100
St Michael’s CE (VA) Primary, Braintree 44 44 100
St Michael’s Primary and Nursery, Colchester 22 22 100
St Nicholas CE Primary School, Rayleigh 18 18 100
St Nicholas CE Primary School, Tillingham 8 8 100
St Osyth CE Primary School 39 39 100
St Peter’s CE (VC) Primary, Coggeshall 35 35 100
St Peter’s CE Primary Academy, West Hanningfield 10 10 100
St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, Basildon 22 22 100
St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, Colchester 18 18 100
St Thomas More Catholic Pri, Saffron Walden 26 26 100
St Thomas of Canterbury CE (Aided) Primary, Bwd 39 39 100
Stambridge Primary School 9 9 100
Stanway Fiveways Primary School 45 45 100
Stanway Primary School 38 38 100
Stapleford Abbotts Primary School 8 8 100
Stebbing Primary School 24 24 100
Steeple Bumpstead Primary School 26 26 100
Stock CE Primary School 26 26 100
Sunnymede Primary School 39 39 100
Takeley Primary School 37 37 100
Tany’s Dell Primary School and Nursery 49 49 100
Templars Academy 33 33 100
Tendring Primary School 29 29 100
Thaxted Primary School 26 26 100
The Bishop William Ward CE Primary School 19 19 100
The Downs Primary School and Nursery 26 26 100
The Flitch Green Academy 32 32 100
The Kents Hill Infant Academy 52 52 100
The Mayflower Primary School 40 40 100
The Robert Drake Primary School 30 30 100
The Wickford Church of England School 32 32 100
The Willows Primary School (Academy Basildon) 64 64 100
Tiptree Heath Primary School 20 20 100
Tollesbury Primary 20 20 100
Tolleshunt D’Arcy St Nicholas Primary Academy 16 16 100
Trinity Road Primary School 18 18 100
Trinity St Mary’s CE (VA) Primary School, SWF 8 8 100
Two Village CE Primary now St Michael’s Ramsey 17 17 100
Unity Primary Academy 49 49 100
Vange Primary School and Nursery 14 14 100
Waltham Holy Cross Primary Academy 83 83 100
Walton-on-the-Naze Primary School 18 18 100
Water Lane Primary School 25 25 100
Waterman Primary Academy 14 14 100
West Horndon Primary School 22 22 100
Westlands Community Primary School 65 65 100
Wethersfield CE (VC) Primary School 3 3 100
White Bridge Primary School 45 45 100
White Court School 63 63 100
White Hall Academy and Nursery 81 81 100
Whitmore Primary School and Nursery 50 50 100
Wickford Primary School 46 46 100
William Martin CE Infant and Nursery School 47 47 100
William Read Primary School and Nursery Academy 18 18 100
Willow Brook Primary And Nursery – Academy 12 12 100
Wimbish Academy 4 4 100
Winter Gardens Primary Academy 50 50 100
Woodham Walter CE (VC) Primary School 6 6 100
Woodville Primary School 57 57 100
Wyburns Primary School 20 20 100