Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #9 in Thurrock public Top 31% UK

William Edwards School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Simon Bell

corporate_fareSOUTH WEST ESSEX COMMUNITY EDUCATION TRUST LIMITED

location_onGrays, RM16 3NJ

language Visit Website phone 1375486000

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,225

trending_up

Attainment 8

42.5

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#9 in Thurrock

#2,173 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

William Edwards School is a Academy converter secondary school in Grays, serving ages 11-16. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

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School Summary

William Edwards School is an academy converter in Grays, Thurrock, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of SOUTH WEST ESSEX COMMUNITY EDUCATION TRUST LIMITED. The school has approximately 1,105 pupils on roll, of whom 22% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 42.5, placing the school #9 in Thurrock and #2,173 of 3,216 nationally. 34.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 13.0% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 14.6:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.6 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

42.5

Grade 5+ E&M

34.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)13.0%

Entering EBacc42.10%

EBacc APS3.64

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.29

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc46.10%

EBacc APS3.81

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.41

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc28%

EBacc APS3.75

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.45

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc54%

EBacc APS4.12

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.01

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc57%

EBacc APS4.32

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.21

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc63%

EBacc APS3.82

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships8%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

30 April 2025

Inspection Report

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07 November 2023

Inspection Report

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01 May 2019

Inspection Report

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01 March 2017

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-11-07

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2019-05-01

Exempt School Inspection Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2017-03-01

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2010-12-08

None Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

4.3%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.8%(31 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,105 pupils. During this period, there were 48 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.3%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,105	48	4.3%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,120	55	4.9%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,176	105	8.9%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,180	105	8.9%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,186	109	9.2%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,230	103	8.4%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,225	80	6.5%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,225	61	5.0%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,218	52	4.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,232	58	4.7%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,244	54	4.3%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,257	58	4.6%	3.6%	2
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,259	10	0.8%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,269	46	3.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,266	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,266	22	1.7%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,268	31	2.4%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,259	23	1.8%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,262	14	1.1%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,254	6	0.5%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,192	7	0.6%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,197	9	0.8%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,201	5	0.4%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,193	0	0.0%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,198	3	0.3%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,201	5	0.4%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 57 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 38 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 32 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 32 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 12 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

80.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

85.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

5.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree30%

agree40%

disagree15%

strongly disagree15%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree30%

agree40%

disagree15%

strongly disagree15%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree30%

agree10%

disagree10%

strongly disagree10%

not applicable40%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree30%

agree50%

disagree10%

strongly disagree10%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree45%

agree30%

disagree15%

strongly disagree10%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree35%

agree55%

strongly disagree10%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree55%

agree45%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree45%

agree40%

disagree10%

strongly disagree5%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree45%

agree25%

disagree15%

strongly disagree5%

don't know10%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes65%

no35%

Top Secondary Schools in Thurrock

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Grays Convent High School

Good

location_on Grays, RM17 5UX

emoji_events #1 in LA

Harris Academy Chafford Hundred

Outstanding

location_on Grays, RM16 6SA

emoji_events #2 in LA

Harris Academy Riverside

Good

location_on Purfleet, RM19 1QY

emoji_events #3 in LA

Harris Academy Ockendon

Outstanding

location_on South Ockendon, RM15 5AY

emoji_events #4 in LA

Orsett Heath Academy

Good

location_on Grays, RM16 4DG

emoji_events #5 in LA

Thames Park Secondary School

Good

location_on Grays, RM17 5FP

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Thurrock arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Thurrock

Grays Convent High School

Harris Academy Chafford Hundred

Harris Academy Riverside

Harris Academy Ockendon

Orsett Heath Academy

Thames Park Secondary School