Several schools across south Essex have retained or gained Ofsted's top "outstanding" rating this year.

As a new school year starts, we've taken a look back on the schools which have been hailed as "outstanding" by inspectors this year.

This included Southend High School for Boys’ final Ofsted inspection before long-standing headteacher Dr Robin Bevan stands down.

The inspection, in June, was the first time Ofsted has visited the school since 2014 but despite the ten-year gap inspectors rated the school “outstanding” in all inspection categories.

Westcliff High School for Girls, in Kenilworth Gardens, was also rated “outstanding” in all areas in a glowing report after it was inspected for the first time in 14 years on February 6 and 7.

It also includes The Phoenix Primary School, in Basildon, which was visited by Ofsted inspectors in April who praised the school and found children were “friendly and kind”, St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, in Billericay where pupils benefit from an “excellent quality of education”.

Here are south Essex's 22 Outstanding Ofsted-rated schools, as of August 2024.

  • Southend High School for Boys - latest report July 2024
  • Southend High School for Girls - latest report February 2012
  • Westcliff High School for Boys Academy - latest report January 2024
  • Westcliff High School for Girls - latest report March 2024
  • The Eastwood Academy - latest report November 2020
  • Glenwood School, Benfleet - latest report December 2018
  • Beauchamps High School, Wickford - latest report November 2014
  • Blenheim Primary School, Leigh - latest report February 2020
  • West Leigh Junior School - latest report December 2021
  • Grove Wood Primary School, Rayleigh - latest report November 2023
  • Westwood Academy, Hadleigh - latest report January 2018
  • Kingston Primary School, Thundersley - latest report January 2024
  • The Wickford Church of England School - latest report November 2023
  • Greensted Primary School & Nursery, Basildon - latest report September 2016

  • The Pioneer School, Basildon - latest report June 2019

  • Lee Chapel Primary School, Basildon - latest report January 2024

  • The Phoenix Primary School, Laindon - latest report May 2024

  • St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Billericay - latest report March 2024

  • Quilters Infant School, Billericay - latest report December 2018

  • Quilters Junior School, Billericay - latest report April 2017

  • Buttsbury Infant School, Billericay - latest report November 2011

  • Buttsbury Junior School, Billericay - latest report January 2020