Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-cedd-s-school-chelmsford"><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-cedds-school-chelmsford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Cedd&#8217;s School</a>, Chelmsford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/1-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="Essex school open days St Cedd's" class="wp-image-21990" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/1-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/1-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/1-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/1-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>First up on our Essex school open days? This <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-cedds-school-chelmsford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">non-selective pre- and prep</a> for girls and boys aged 3-11; well known for its academic achievements and warm, family atmosphere. As well as all the top-notch education you&#8217;d expect, it&#8217;s also got a ton of stuff to keep kids entertained, from a veggie garden and outdoor chess and also an impressive forest school.<br><em><a href="https://www.stcedds.co.uk/Admission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Summer Term Open Mornings</a> kick off on <strong>24 April</strong> and <strong>5 June</strong>.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saint-nicholas-school-harlow"><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-nicholas-school-harlow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saint Nicholas School</a>, Harlow</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/2-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="Saint Nicholas School Harlow" class="wp-image-21991" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/2-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/2-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/2-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/2-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hillingdon House, <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-nicholas-school-harlow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the school’s main building</a>, was initially built as a hunting lodge before being annexed during WWII to nurse wounded soldiers (serious <em>Downton Abbey</em> vibes). Suitable for boys and girls from three months to 16 years, facilities include an open-air heated swimming pool and even an enormous outbuilding as an indoor sports hall.<br><em>Saint Nicholas&#8217; <a href="https://www.saintnicholasschool.net/admissions/open-events-tours" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">next open event</a> is on <strong>12 May</strong>, designed for children starting Reception in 2025, 2026 and 2027.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chigwell-school-chigwell"><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/chigwell-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chigwell School</a>, Chigwell</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/3-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Chigwell School " class="wp-image-21992" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/3-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/3-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/3-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/3-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Another of our Essex school open days to head to this <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/chigwell-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">co-ed through school</a> that merges academia with sporting prowess and arty flamboyance.&nbsp;Founded in 1629, it’s just 10mins from Chigwell High Road (oh, and Sir Alan Sugar’s a neighbour and sent his own kids here!). Pupils 4-18 years are spread across pre-prep, prep, senior and sixth form and also benefit from their own building. What else? Read our review of course!<br><em>There&#8217;s <a href="https://www.chigwell-school.org/admissions/open-days-and-tours/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two 2025 open days</a>: a 4+ Action Morning on <strong>20 May</strong> and Whole School Open Morning on <strong>14 June</strong>.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oakfields-preparatory-school-upminster"><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/oakfields-preparatory-school-upminster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oakfields Preparatory School</a>, Upminster</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/4-1000x667.jpg" alt="Oakfields Preparatory School " class="wp-image-21993" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There’s a family vibe to this <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/oakfields-preparatory-school-upminster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">co-ed prep and nursery</a> which lies in seven acres in outer London. Home to 217 pupils, class sizes are around 16 per class. There&#8217;s plenty to get excited about in both facilities and education, such as Oakfields specialising in Spanish rather than French, and music and drama also a part of everyday life.<br><em>Get in there quick: their next <a href="https://www.oakfieldspreparatoryschool.co.uk/open-days-and-visits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Morning</a>&#8216;s on <strong>25 April</strong></em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-michael-s-school-leigh-on-sea"><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-michaels-school-leigh-on-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Michael&#8217;s School</a>, Leigh On Sea</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/5-1000x667.jpg" alt="St Michael's School, Leigh On Sea" class="wp-image-21994" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/5-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/5-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/5.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-michaels-school-leigh-on-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nursery and prep</a> for boys and girls 3-11 yrs is easily reached by car, foot or train. It&#8217;s made great use of its space, packing in two classrooms groups per year, main hall, drama and music space plus its own chapel.&nbsp;There&#8217;s tons of sports and arts to enjoy, and learning&#8217;s made easier with every child given a Chromebook and helping hand from the get-go.<br><em>Keep an eye out for their next <a href="https://www.stmichaelsschool.co.uk/admissions/book-a-visit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Day here</a>; or book an individual tour.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gosfield-school-halstead"><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/gosfield-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gosfield School</a>, Halstead</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/6-1000x667.jpg" alt="Gosfield School, Halstead" class="wp-image-21995" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s lots going on at this all <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/gosfield-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inclusive day school</a> from Nursery to Sixth Form. In Prep, class sizes are never more than 20 (22 in Year 6), while the depth of care, attention and confidence-boosting activities pupils receive is remarkable, whether that’s taking part in a Duke of Edinburgh award or performing in a top quality play.<br><em>Keep an eye out for their next <a href="https://www.gosfieldschool.org.uk/admissions/visit-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Day here</a>; or book an individual tour.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brentwood-school-brentwood"><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/brentwood-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brentwood School</a>, Brentwood</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/7-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21996" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/7-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/7-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/7-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/7-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s hard to condense what <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/brentwood-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brentwood School</a> has to offer (hence reading our review). Set in 75 acres, boys and girls are taught separately when they get to seniors, though still mix outside lessons. The prep alone&#8217;s undergone a £14m expansion, with a music and science rooms, IT and food suites, and design tech room with laser cutters and 3D printer.<br><em>See for yourself at their next <a href="https://www.brentwoodschool.co.uk/admissions/open-events-school-visits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whole School Open Morning</a> on<strong> 7 June</strong>.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-hall-school-chelmsford"><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/new-hall-school-chelmsford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Hall School</a>, Chelmsford </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/8-1000x667.jpg" alt="New Hall " class="wp-image-21997" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Education in a Tudor Palace? That&#8217;s right: <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/new-hall-school-chelmsford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Hall</a>&#8216;s one of Essex’s oldest independent schools in 70 acres of grounds. A large co-ed boarding and day school with around 1,300 pupils from ages one to 19, boys and girls are educated in a single-sex setting in the Senior School, but co-ed for Early Years, Prep and Sixth Form.<br><em>Visit the school at their next <a href="https://newhallschool.co.uk/catholic-school-admissions/open-days-and-events/open-day/">Open Day</a> on <strong>3 May</strong>.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-felsted-school-felsted"><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/felsted-school-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Felsted School</a>, Felsted</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/Untitled-design-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="Felsted School" class="wp-image-21998" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/Untitled-design-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/Untitled-design-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/Untitled-design-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/04/Untitled-design-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Here&#8217;s <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/felsted-school-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">another school</a> with an impressive history, founded back in 1564 (blimey!). A day and boarding prep and senior school, it&#8217;s got the wow factor in terms of facilities and pastoral care. Co-ed with 1,028 pupils (553 in the senior school and 475 in prep), the majority of seniors are boarders, with about 12% of prep pupils boarding too.<br><em><a href="https://www.felsted.org/admissions/open-mornings">Open Mornings</a> are on <strong>26 April</strong> (Yr 9); Yrs 5-7 on <strong>10 May</strong> and Sixth Form on <strong>17 May</strong>.</em></p>


Ready, set, educate! Essex school open days

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