What schools serve Chelmsford?

There are 84 schools in Chelmsford, Essex, including Tanglewood Nursery School, Woodcroft Nursery School, Trinity Road Primary School, Great Leighs Primary School, Highwood Primary School and more. You can view each school's catchment area guidance and admissions policy on catchment.school.

How many primary and secondary schools are in Chelmsford?

Chelmsford has 56 primary schools and 10 secondary schools. There are also 18 other schools (such as all-through or special schools) in the area. All data is sourced from the Department for Education's GIAS register.

How do I find out if my address is in a school's catchment area in Chelmsford?

To check whether your address falls within a school's catchment area in Chelmsford, use the postcode search tool at catchment.school. Catchment area boundaries for Chelmsford schools are set by Essex and reviewed each year. You can also consult the school's admissions policy or contact the Essex admissions team directly for the most up-to-date boundary maps.

Who sets catchment area boundaries for schools in Chelmsford?

Catchment area boundaries for schools in Chelmsford are set by Essex as the admissions authority. Community and voluntary-controlled schools follow the council's published admissions policy, while academies and voluntary-aided schools may set their own. Boundaries are reviewed annually and published each September for the following academic year.

Schools in Chelmsford

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Chelmsford has 84 schools including 56 primaries and 10 secondaries, coordinated by Essex County Council. As Essex's county city, Chelmsford attracts strong commuter demand, and primary catchments in Springfield, Moulsham and Broomfield routinely fill within 800 metres of the school gate. Essex operates a published admissions scheme, but the 44 academy and voluntary-aided schools in the area each set additional criteria.

Secondary competition in Chelmsford includes some of the highest demand in Essex - KEGS (King Edward VI Grammar School) and Chelmsford County High for Girls are selective and draw from across the county, while non-selective secondaries often fill on distance. Families new to the area should check whether their address falls within a school's priority zone before relying on the council's coordinated scheme.

School demand in Chelmsford

Across the 71 schools in Chelmsford with published capacity data, the average fill rate is 91%. 20 of them are currently at or above their published admission number, and at those schools catchment distance is likely to decide places at the next intake.

20 schools in Chelmsford have a religious character, so faith criteria sit alongside catchment distance in their admissions policies.

40 of the schools in Chelmsford are academies that set their own admissions criteria independently of Essex, so check each school's policy directly rather than assuming the council default applies.

33 of the schools in Chelmsford have a current Ofsted rating, of which 28 are rated Good or Outstanding. Demand and catchment distance tend to be tightest at the highest-rated schools.

Primary schools in Chelmsford: 16 oversubscribed (56)

Trinity Road Primary School

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM2 6HS

Ages 4-11 402 pupils Capacity 420

Great Leighs Primary School

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM3 1RP

Ages 5-11 205 pupils Capacity 210

Highwood Primary School

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM1 3QH

Ages 4-11 56 pupils Capacity 70

Galleywood Infant School

Primary · Community school

CHELMSFORD · CM2 8RR

Ages 4-7 167 pupils Capacity 180

Baddow Hall Infant School

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM2 7QZ

Ages 5-7 164 pupils Capacity 180

Cold Norton Primary School

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM3 6JE

Ages 4-11 157 pupils Capacity 147

Baddow Hall Junior School

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM2 7QZ

Ages 7-11 236 pupils Capacity 240

Boreham Primary School

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM3 3DB

Ages 4-11 213 pupils Capacity 210

Hatfield Peverel Infant and Nursery School

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM3 2RP

Ages 2-7 223 pupils Capacity 220

Beehive Lane Community Primary School

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM2 9SR

Ages 4-11 211 pupils Capacity 210

Priory Primary School, Bicknacre

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM3 4ES

Ages 4-11 142 pupils Capacity 210

Westlands Community Primary School

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM1 2SB

Ages 5-11 580 pupils Capacity 630

Hatfield Peverel St Andrew's Junior School

Primary · Foundation school

Chelmsford · CM3 2JX

Ages 7-11 235 pupils Capacity 240

St John Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Danbury

Primary · Voluntary controlled school

Chelmsford · CM3 4NS

Ages 4-11 219 pupils Capacity 230

Great Waltham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Primary · Voluntary controlled school

Chelmsford · CM3 1DF

Ages 5-11 167 pupils Capacity 165

Terling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Chelmsford · CM3 2PN

Ages 5-11 106 pupils Capacity 111

Little Waltham Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Chelmsford · CM3 3NY

Ages 4-11 213 pupils Capacity 210

St Michael's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior School

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Chelmsford · CM2 8RR

Ages 7-11 231 pupils Capacity 240

Trinity St Mary's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School, South Woodham Ferrers

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Chelmsford · CM3 5JX

Ages 4-11 157 pupils Capacity 206

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, SWF

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Chelmsford · CM3 5JX

Ages 2-11 170 pupils Capacity 210

The Bishops' Church of England and Roman Catholic Primary School

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Chelmsford · CM1 6ZQ

Ages 5-11 439 pupils Capacity 420

Elmwood Primary School

Primary · Foundation school

Chelmsford · CM3 5NB

Ages 4-11 417 pupils Capacity 420

The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Chelmsford · CM1 1PA

Ages 4-11 313 pupils Capacity 315

Broomfield Primary School

Primary · Foundation school

Chelmsford · CM1 7DN

Ages 4-11 419 pupils Capacity 420

Collingwood Primary School

Primary · Foundation school

CHELMSFORD · CM3 5YJ

Ages 4-11 227 pupils Capacity 315

Chancellor Park Primary School, Chelmsford

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM2 6PT

Ages 4-11 210 pupils Capacity 210

Springfield Primary School

Primary · Community school

Chelmsford · CM1 6XW

Ages 4-11 406 pupils Capacity 420

Moulsham Infant School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM2 9DG

Ages 4-7 293 pupils Capacity 360

The Tyrrells School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 6JN

Ages 4-11 421 pupils Capacity 420

Moulsham Junior School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM2 9DG

Ages 7-11 685 pupils Capacity 720

Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM2 0RG

Ages 5-11 217 pupils Capacity 218

Newlands Spring Primary and Nursery School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 4UU

Ages 2-11 488 pupils Capacity 450

Meadgate Primary School

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Chelmsford · CM2 7NS

Ages 4-11 215 pupils Capacity 216

Woodville Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM3 5SE

Ages 5-11 407 pupils Capacity 420

Purleigh Community Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM3 6PJ

Ages 4-11 206 pupils Capacity 210

Parkwood Academy

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Chelmsford · CM1 2DX

Ages 3-11 210 pupils Capacity 210

Maltese Road Primary School

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Chelmsford · CM1 2PA

Ages 4-11 211 pupils Capacity 210

Christchurch Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM3 6JS

Ages 4-11 122 pupils Capacity 175

Maylandsea Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM3 6AD

Ages 5-11 230 pupils Capacity 218

Larkrise Primary School

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Chelmsford · CM2 9UB

Ages 4-11 180 pupils Capacity 210

Perryfields Junior School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 7PP

Ages 7-11 301 pupils Capacity 270

Lawford Mead Primary & Nursery

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 2JH

Ages 3-11 409 pupils Capacity 420

Kings Road Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 2BB

Ages 4-11 391 pupils Capacity 445

Perryfields Infant School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 7PP

Ages 5-7 180 pupils Capacity 180

Barnes Farm Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM2 6QH

Ages 5-11 551 pupils Capacity 630

Oaklands Infant School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM2 9PH

Ages 5-7 173 pupils Capacity 180

Mildmay Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM2 8AU

Ages 3-11 620 pupils Capacity 630

St Pius X Catholic Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 4HY

Ages 5-11 214 pupils Capacity 210

Roxwell Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Chelmsford · CM1 4PE

Ages 4-11 85 pupils Capacity 105

St Mary's Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Chelmsford · CM3 8RJ

Ages 4-11 62 pupils Capacity 98

Ford End Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM3 1LQ

Ages 4-11 64 pupils Capacity 84

Writtle Infant School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 3HZ

Ages 4-7 Capacity 180

Writtle Junior School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 3HG

Ages 7-11 Capacity 240

East Hanningfield Church of England Primary Academy

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM3 8AE

Ages 5-11 Capacity 119

St Peter's Church of England Primary Academy, West Hanningfield

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM2 8UQ

Ages 4-11 Capacity 105

Rettendon Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM3 8DW

Ages 4-11 Capacity 140

Secondary Schools in Chelmsford (10)

St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford

Secondary · Voluntary aided school

Chelmsford · CM1 4BS

Ages 11-18 1210 pupils Capacity 1220

Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Secondary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 1RW

Ages 11-18 1236 pupils Capacity 1285

William de Ferrers School

Secondary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM3 5JU

Ages 11-18 1247 pupils Capacity 2076

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

Secondary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 3SX

Ages 11-18 1138 pupils Capacity 1142

Moulsham High School

Secondary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM2 9ES

Ages 11-18 1670 pupils Capacity 1613

Great Baddow High School

Secondary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM2 9RZ

Ages 11-18 1528 pupils Capacity 1520

Hylands School

Secondary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 3ET

Ages 11-18 640 pupils Capacity 1100

The Sandon School

Secondary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM2 7AQ

Ages 11-18 1231 pupils Capacity 1253

Chelmer Valley High School

Secondary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 7ER

Ages 11-18 1155 pupils Capacity 1168

The Boswells School

Secondary · Academy converter

Chelmsford · CM1 6LY

Ages 11-18 1409 pupils Capacity 1431

Other Schools in Chelmsford (18)

Tanglewood Nursery School

Nursery · Local authority nursery school

Chelmsford · CM1 2DX

Ages 2-5 153 pupils

Woodcroft Nursery School

Nursery · Local authority nursery school

Chelmsford · CM2 9UB

Ages 2-5 111 pupils

New Hall School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Chelmsford · CM3 3HS

Ages 1-19 1335 pupils Capacity 1500

St Anne's School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Chelmsford · CM2 0AW

Ages 3-11 128 pupils Capacity 165

St Cedd's School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Chelmsford · CM2 0AR

Ages 3-11 341 pupils Capacity 425

Widford Lodge School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Chelmsford · CM2 9AN

Ages 2-11 206 pupils Capacity 270

Heathcote School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Chelmsford · CM3 4QB

Ages 2-11 105 pupils Capacity 160

Chelmsford College

All through · Further education

Chelmsford · CM2 0JQ

Ages 16-99

Anglia Ruskin University

Not applicable · Higher education institutions

Chelmsford · CM1 1SQ

Thriftwood School

Not applicable · Academy special converter

Chelmsford · CM2 8RW

Ages 5-19 266 pupils Capacity 266

Lift Columbus

Not applicable · Academy special converter

Chelmsford · CM1 4ZB

Ages 3-19 286 pupils Capacity 270

Chelmsford Hospital School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Chelmsford · CM1 7SJ

Ages 11-18 0 Capacity 12

Community College Initiative Ltd

Not applicable · Special post 16 institution

CHELMSFORD · CM1 2QE

Ages 16-99

The Beaulieu Park School

Special · Free schools

Chelmsford · CM1 6DT

Ages 4-19 1609 pupils Capacity 2020

Clarity Independent School

Not applicable · Other independent special school

Chelmsford · CM2 7SG

Ages 6-17 13 pupils Capacity 18

The Hawthorns School

Not applicable · Free schools special

Chelmsford · CM1 2XT

Ages 7-16 30 pupils Capacity 70

The Sir Geoff Hurst Academy

Not applicable · Free schools special

Chelmsford · CM1 2XT

Ages 7-16 Capacity 64

Writtle College Limited

All through · Further education

Chelmsford · CM1 3RR

Ages 16-99

Catchment area boundaries for schools in Chelmsford are set by Essex and updated each year. The "last distance offered", how far the furthest successful applicant lived, changes annually based on the number of applications received.

Find Essex admissions documents → How catchment areas work →