School Catchments and House Prices in Highwood
In the Highwood area, 2 schools were graded Good at their last graded Ofsted inspection (before September 2024), and none Outstanding.
The introduction costs you nothing. If you go ahead, we may be paid a fee by the firm we introduce you to. There is no obligation.
In the Highwood area, 2 schools were graded Good at their last graded Ofsted inspection (before September 2024), and none Outstanding.
How the Highwood school map prices each street
Concentrated demand is what a price premium actually is.
The local benchmark is £700,000 and a detached home averages £575,000.
Ofsted ratings across the Highwood area
The commercial page for this town sets out the introduction itself: Mortgage advice in Highwood.
Catchment is not a promise
A house advertised as in catchment may not be next year. The local council publishes last year's furthest distance offered for each school. Ask for that figure in writing before you offer.
Ratings age too. An Outstanding judgement can be several years old, and inspections since September 2024 report differently. Read the current report rather than the agent's summary of it.
No school in the immediate area currently holds an Outstanding rating.
The detail behind the Highwood numbers
The schools families ask about here are Writtle Junior School, Writtle Infant School, Chelmsford secondary schools and Essex grammar schools (Chelmsford). 2 local schools were graded Good or Outstanding at their last graded Ofsted inspection (before September 2024). Ratings age between inspections, so read the latest report before you rely on one.
On getting about: Highwood to Writtle takes about 5 to 10 min drive.
By price, Highwood ranks 14 of the 200 Essex locations we cover, at £700,000 against a county average of £520,425. Band D council tax here is £2,359, against an average of £2,301 across the county locations we cover.

How Highwood scores for different buyers
Highwood is a small, sought-after rural village south-west of Chelmsford.
The full local guide covers schools, transport and the market in detail: Highwood property and area guide.
| Who it suits | Out of five | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Families wanting space | ★★★★☆ | Space and Good-rated Writtle primaries nearby, with Chelmsford's schools and grammars in reach, though everything means a drive. |
| Country & rural buyers | ★★★★★ | Country lanes, farmland and woodland with real peace and low density, genuinely rural yet close to Chelmsford. |
| Upsizers | ★★★★☆ | Farmhouses, country homes and larger detached houses suit buyers trading up into the countryside. |
| Commuters (to London) | ★★★☆☆ | No village station, but Chelmsford (a drive) gives fast Liverpool Street trains, fine if you are happy to drive to the train. |
| First-time buyers | ★★☆☆☆ | Well-above-average prices and little entry-level stock make a first purchase here a stretch. |
Families & professionals
People wanting a quiet, green rural village with low-density character and good schooling near by in Writtle and Chelmsford, within easy reach of the county city.
Commuters
People happy to drive to Chelmsford station (fast Greater Anglia trains to London Liverpool Street in around thirty-five minutes) and to use the A414/A1060 and A12, a rural base with the city and fast trains within reach by car.
Country lovers
People drawn to country lanes, farmland and woodland, the little St Paul's Church and the peace of a scattered Essex village, wanting rural living close to Chelmsford.
Highwood is known locally for The rural setting. Highwood's defining feature, a quiet, green, low-density village of country lanes, farmland and woodland near Writtle, south-west of Chelmsford.
Practical detail for Highwood: the CM1 postcode district, no station, nearest is Chelmsford (a drive; Greater Anglia to London Liverpool Street ~35 min) and nearest A and E is Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford (a drive), verify with NHS.
Highwood at a glance
| School | What to check before you offer |
|---|---|
| Writtle Junior School | Confirm last year's furthest offer distance, then read the current report. |
| Writtle Infant School | Confirm last year's furthest offer distance, then read the current report. |
| Chelmsford secondary schools | Confirm last year's furthest offer distance, then read the current report. |
| Essex grammar schools (Chelmsford) | Confirm last year's furthest offer distance, then read the current report. |
Figures are local averages used for illustration. Confirm your own numbers before acting on them.
Ask about Highwood
Three details is all we need. You are told before anything is passed to a partner firm.
Your checklist
- Last year's furthest offer distance, in writing from the council
- The current Ofsted report, not a remembered rating
- Whether a sibling policy is applied before distance
- £70,000 of deposit at 10% on the local average, before fees
The introduction costs you nothing. If you go ahead, we may be paid a fee by the firm we introduce you to. There is no obligation.
Check broadband before you make an offer in Highwood
Broadband speeds can vary street by street in Highwood, so check the exact address before you commit. Ofcom's free checker shows which broadband speeds and mobile coverage are available at any UK property.
We can introduce you to a specialist who can combine your mobile, broadband and utilities into one bill. There's no fee for the introduction.
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Questions people ask
Do Outstanding schools raise house prices in Highwood?
Can I appeal if we miss a place?
How do I check broadband speed at a property in Highwood?
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