Four primary schools within the Diocese of Brentwood have been named among England’s top 100 in the 2026 edition of the Sunday Times “Parent Power” primary-school league table.
St Thomas More’s RC Primary School, Colchester was ranked 14th; St Antony’s Primary, Forest Gate, 55th’ Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead, 84th and St Thomas More Primary, Saffron Walden, 88th.
This is a notable achievement for the schools involved, says Flavio Vettese, recently appointed Brentwood Director of Education, as the league table recognises academic excellence and strong school communities.
The Sunday Times guide — widely regarded as the definitive ranking for UK primary schools — draws on the most recent SATs data (2024 cohort) for reading, grammar and maths. Schools are ranked nationally by a combined score across those measures.
What the rankings reflect
The success of these schools reflects a trend identified by the Parent Power guide: top-performing primaries are increasingly those that combine strong academic results with holistic support for pupils’ wellbeing, enrichment activities and a broad curriculum.
This shift comes at a time when education experts urge parents to consider not just raw exam scores, but also pastoral care, school ethos and extracurricular offerings when choosing a school — factors that can make a real difference in a child’s development.
Spotlight: St Thomas More’s RC Primary School, Colchester
One of the Diocese’s top-performing schools is St Thomas More’s RC Primary School in Colchester — which has been named “Primary School of the Year” for the East Anglia region and ranks among the top schools nationally.
Its headteacher and the Diocese see its success as a result of the school’s strong emphasis on academic standards, community values, and the partnership between home, school and parish — which they credit with helping pupils flourish both academically and personally.
What this means for families
For families within the Diocese of Brentwood (which covers the county of Essex, the Unitary Authorities of Southend and Thurrock and the East London Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest), this recognition may influence school-choice decisions. Says Director of Education Flavio Vettese: “Parent demand is likely to grow, which may increase competition for places, particularly in oversubscribed primaries, but it is also a signal of what’s working: that faith-based, community-oriented schools continue to perform strongly when they combine rigorous academics with pastoral care and supportive environments.”
He concluded: “I am delighted to see how successful our schools are in the Diocese of Brentwood. Congratulations to the leadership, staff and governors involved. The results are a testament to the hard work and dedication given over many, many years.”
