The deadline for applications to Essex County Council is January 15 2025 with children entitled to start school in the September following their fourth birthday.
Applications submitted after this deadline will only be considered after all of the on-time applications have been made , with the council urging parents to act now to secure preferred places.
The latest performance figures show 61 per cent of children in Southend reached the expected standard of reading, writing and maths when assessed at the end of the 2023-24 academic year.
The top ten best performing schools in the area are ranked below:
1. Bournes Green Junior School
In first place is Bournes Green Junior School.
Some 86% of pupils at the school met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.
2. Barons Court Primary School and Nursery
Coming in second place is Barons Court Primary School and Nursery – the school had a score of 83%.
3. Darlinghurst Academy
With 82% of pupils meeting the expected standard, Darlinghurst Academy shares third on the podium of the best performing primary schools in Southend.
4. St Helen’s Catholic Primary School
Just missing out on the top three is St Helen’s Catholic Primary School.
At the school, 77% of pupils met the required standard in these three subjects.
5. Leigh North Street Primary School
Rounding out the top five with 76% of pupils meeting the required standard in maths, reading and writing is Leigh North Street Primary School.
6. West Leigh Junior School
In sixth place, is West Leigh Junior School.
The expected standard was met by 75% of pupils here.
7. St George’s Catholic Primary School, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School
Just behind are St George’s Catholic Primary School, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, where 73% of pupils met the required standard by the end of year 6.
9. Chalkwell Hall Junior School
In ninth place is Chalkwell Hall Junior School.
At this school, 72% of pupils met the required standard.
10. Hinguar Community Primary School
And rounding out the top 10 is Hinguar Community Primary School.
Some 71% of pupils met the required standard in reading, writing and maths here.
Essex County Council has also encouraged parents and carers to use all four of the preferences available and to check the admissions criteria for each school they wish to apply for.
This will ensure they have the best chance of being offered a preferred place. Applications can be made online at www.essex.gov.uk/admissions.
Councillor Tony Ball, Essex responsible for education excellence, lifelong learning and employability, said: “Starting primary school is an exciting milestone in a child’s life and the application process is the first step.”