How many schools does Essex have?

OfferDay lists six schools in Essex, including three special and alternative provision schools and three independent schools.

Who inspects schools in Essex?

Every school in Essex is inspected by Ofsted. Newer reports grade several areas of a school separately on a report card, while older reports carry a single overall grade, so check the framework and the date on each page before you compare two schools.

How are schools in Essex ranked?

OfferDay ranks an area's schools only where enough of them have published results to compare fairly, and Essex does not have enough to rank. Compare its schools on their Ofsted reports and, where results are published, the figures shown against each school on this page.

Schools in Essex

Essex has 6 schools listed on OfferDay. It is in the Essex local authority area.

See the schools closest to Essex by distance →

About schools in Essex

Essex lists six schools across a mix of phases. Another three schools provide for children with additional needs or alternative provision. It also has three independent schools, which sit outside the state system and set their own admissions.

Ofsted inspects every school listed here. Its newer reports judge a school across several areas rather than giving one overall grade, while older reports still carry the previous single grade, so read the framework and the date on each page before you set two schools side by side. An inspection or a results table captures a school at one past moment, so use this page to draw up a shortlist and then visit.

Special schools and alternative provision3

Cambian Great Dunmow School
Other independent special school · Ages 11 to 19
Compass Community School Essex
Other independent special school · Ages 11 to 17
The Belsteads School
Other independent special school · Ages 10 to 17

Independent schools3

Elm Green Preparatory School
Other independent school · Ages 3 to 11
Open Box Education Centre
Other independent school · Ages 14 to 17
Saint Nicholas School
Other independent school · Ages 2 to 16

Common questions about schools in Essex

How many schools does Essex have?: OfferDay lists six schools in Essex, including three special and alternative provision schools and three independent schools.
Who inspects schools in Essex?: Every school in Essex is inspected by Ofsted. Newer reports grade several areas of a school separately on a report card, while older reports carry a single overall grade, so check the framework and the date on each page before you compare two schools.
How are schools in Essex ranked?: OfferDay ranks an area's schools only where enough of them have published results to compare fairly, and Essex does not have enough to rank. Compare its schools on their Ofsted reports and, where results are published, the figures shown against each school on this page.

School details come from the Department for Education's Get Information About Schools register. Inspection outcomes come from Ofsted, and exam results from the Department for Education's school performance service. Information on this page was last updated on 24 July 2026.