We moved out to Shenfield having lived it central London.
The CofE and catholic schools usually do require church attendance and are usually heavily oversubscribed, so usually don’t get out of the church electoral roll into catchment, The very sought after C of E school here is St Mary’s. However, for admissions in 2020 and I heard this year also, children from within catchment but without church attendance were admitted. I understand that this was because they were low birth years, so possibly the same might apply for your children’s cohorts.
Generally, it seems that there are no bad schools in the area.
I ended up choosing to send my child to Long Ridings (the other side of Shenfield) as I felt it was a better fit for them. It’s non-religious with a large catchment area. I’m happy with the decision.
Someone’s mentioned Ingatestone infants and juniors upthread. Parents I know are happy there too.
Secondaries are thought to be good too. St Martin’s is well respected, Shenfield High getting better. Brentwood is also within area for Chelmsford grammar schools, which may be an attraction depending on your attitude.
It’s a great area to bring children up. Don’t be put off by the TOWIE stereotype. There are so many green spaces and woods, and there’s easy access to the sea. 5 minute cycle and you’re in proper countryside. Shenfield’s also on the fast line to Liverpool Street, so you can still get your fix of London life. Easy access to the M25, so you don’t have that much of a trek to get elsewhere. In the days when you could fly, really easy to pop across to Europe on a cheap flight out of Southend Airport.
Ingatestone is a little more villagey, and there are some proper villages not that far away, which are really quite charming.