Archaeological monitoring and recording was carried out at St John’s Green Primary School in 2017, in advance of the construction of a two-storey extension to the rear of the school with extension of hard surface play area (Essex CC planning application CC/COL/52/16).<1> In April 2017, the excavation of five pads was observed. Each pad measured 1.25-1.3m across, and was excavated to a depth of 1.3m. Excavation occurred through modern layers only (modern tarmac and two layers of modern crush). In August 2017, the ground reduction was monitored to accommodate an extension to the existing hard play area. An area measuring c.201m² was reduced by 0.22m. Excavation occurred through modern topsoil and did not extend beyond modern layers. An area measuring 8m x 3m was also reduced by 0.15-0.2m to accommodate a new cycle store. Again, excavation occurred onto a layer of made-ground. No archaeological remains were defined during the project.