Hi, I live in Essex too. We have just moved but after lots of worrying managed to exchange just in time to meet all deadlines so our school application wasn't late. We applied for the 2 village schools, 1st choice our "priority admissions or old catchment" school and 2nd the other local one. Our catchment school is one of the most over subscribed in the area and as a result we haven't received either choice and have been offered one in another village. We moved to a village to be part of the community and now face travelling out every day. I have another child not yet at school so potentially would have children at different school. Very disappointed and worried. Got to see where we are on waiting list tomorrow and appeal. As school is so good I think people use other addresses to secure places.
Lots of people I have spoken to are disappointed this year but most have received catchment school - sadly not us! I posted this on an old thread first as not done this before so sorry if you are reading it again!