Best secondary schools in Chelmsford (2026)
Chelmsford has 9 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, in the top 1% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 56.9, against 46.1 for England. 2 are in England's top 10%, and 2 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 2 grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 1% in England |
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford Chelmsford · Grammar |
82.8 | 83.3 | 100% | Report card | |
2 Top 1% in England |
Chelmsford County High School for Girls Chelmsford · Grammar · Girls |
81.2 | 80.7 | 99% | Outstanding | |
3 Top 12% in England |
The Beaulieu Park School Chelmsford |
57.7 | 57.1 | 63% | Outstanding | |
4 Top 13% in England |
Moulsham High School Chelmsford |
56.6 | 58.3 | 66% | Good | |
5 Top 28% in England |
Great Baddow High School Chelmsford |
50.4 | 50.0 | 56% | Report card | |
6 Top 34% in England |
St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford Chelmsford · Roman Catholic |
49.3 | 49.9 | 51% | No rating | |
7 Top 42% in England |
The Boswells School Chelmsford |
47.8 | 48.4 | 46% | No rating | |
8 Top 46% in England |
The Sandon School Chelmsford |
46.9 | 46.6 | 42% | Requires improvement | |
9 Bottom 8% in England |
Hylands School Chelmsford |
35.1 | 37.8 | 38% | Report card |
Other towns in Essex
- Basildon
- Braintree
- Brentwood
- Colchester
- Grays
- Harlow
- Loughton
- Southend-on-Sea
- Thundersley and South Benfleet
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Chelmsford?
On exam results over the last three years, King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford is the top-ranked secondary school in Chelmsford, in the top 1% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.