The school, which opened in 1967, is situated with its own playing fields and swimming pool, in a very pleasant residential area, a little to the north-east of Thorpe Bay Station which is within walking distance.

Being a Junior School, Bournes Green caters for the age range 7-11 years.

The normal catchment area boundaries are as follows:-

• North: Bournes Green Chase and Little Thorpe Estate
• East: As far as, but not including, Maplin Way.
• South: The Railway line.
• West: The area covered by the Wick Leas Estate, situated to the west of Thorpe Hall Avenue.
  

From September 1995 a new area was included, taking in roads on the East side of Maplin Way North from Hayes Barton, up to Bournes Green Chase and across to the North Shoebury Road.