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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 137214

William Edwards School

Academy converter · Grays · RM16 3NJ

Ages 11–16 · 984 pupils · Thurrock

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

43.8

Overall absence

7.5%

Admissions demand

0.84 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-03-10

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.29
−20+2
Attainment 843.8
English & maths grade 5+41%
English & maths grade 4+64%
EBacc entry46%

EBacc APS: 3.8

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)25.3%
Unauthorised2.5%
Authorised absence
5.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.6%
Enrolments in measure
1,234

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.84 · Often has places

1st preferences

158

Places offered

206

1st-preference offers

158

Total preferences (any rank)
548
Preferred offers (top 3)
198
Applications from outside LA
2
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill82%

984 pupils · 1,200 places

Pupils on roll
984
Boys / girls
557 / 427
School capacity
1,200
Capacity fill
984 / 1,200 (82%)
Free school meals
22.4%
FSM pupils
220
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: SOUTH WEST ESSEX COMMUNITY EDUCATION TRUST LIMITED
Academy trust
SOUTH WEST ESSEX COMMUNITY EDUCATION TRUST LIMITED
Sponsor
South West Essex Community Education Trust (SWECET)
Headteacher
Mrs Lynne Sexton

Location

Address
Stifford Clays Road, Stifford Clays
Postcode
RM16 3NJ
Town
Grays
County
Essex
Local authority
Thurrock
District
Thurrock
Constituency
Thurrock
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Grays, Thurrock, 984 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 22.4%.

Open schools in Grays
26
Secondary schools in Grays
7
Academies among open schools in Grays
77% (20)
Open schools in RM16
17
Secondary in RM16
4
Open schools in Thurrock LA
58
Secondary in Thurrock LA
13

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in GraysNear RM16

  • The Hathaway Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Grays · RM17 5LL · Thurrock

    Ages 11–16

    • Att840.1
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+33%
    • Absence8.8%

    1.0 miles away

  • Orsett Heath Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Free schools · Secondary

    Grays · RM16 4DG · Thurrock

    Ages 11–16

    • Absence7.8%
    • FSM23.1%
    • Demand0.83

    1.0 miles away

  • Grays Convent High School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Voluntary aided school · Secondary

    Grays · RM17 5UX · Thurrock

    Ages 11–16

    • Att855.3
    • P80.8
    • EM5+56%
    • Absence5.9%

    1.4 miles away

  • Thames Park Secondary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Free schools · Secondary

    Grays · RM17 5FP · Thurrock

    Ages 11–16

    • Absence7.4%
    • FSM29.4%
    • Demand1.22

    2.1 miles away

  • Harris Academy Chafford Hundred

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Grays · RM16 6SA · Thurrock

    Ages 11–19

    • Att861.1
    • P81.0
    • EM5+75%
    • Absence4.9%

    2.3 miles away

  • The Gateway Academy

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Grays · RM16 4LU · Thurrock

    Ages 11–16

    • Att844.6
    • P80.1
    • EM5+47%
    • Absence6.9%

    2.3 miles away

  • Harris Academy Ockendon

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    South Ockendon · RM15 5AY · Thurrock

    Ages 11–18

    • Att852.6
    • P80.5
    • EM5+62%
    • Absence6.8%

    2.5 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Lynne Sexton
Telephone
01375486000
Website
http://williamedwards.org.uk/

Official links