My son will take the 11+ exam next year and my wife is suggesting a move from Langdon Hills to Rayleigh as some parts of it come under the catchment areas of both KEGS and Southend grammar schools, effectively doubling/tripling the odds of getting into a grammar school. Even if he doesn’t get them, the secondary schools look good.

Just wanted to know how the town is in general. The highstreet looked nice and the house prices comparable to where I live.

we did exactly the same but please check the postcodes as not all postcodes are in all three school catchments. I think around station and London road are the areas.
Rayleigh is nice town - and only four stops away from stratford so pretty close to London commuting wise.