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Graham James Primary Academy

Thurrock, SS17 7ESPrimaryAges 2–11MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Good
Apr 2025
KS2 Results
72%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
51 1st-choice / 53 places
Ranking
#3,585
of 13,686 nationally

About Graham James Primary Academy

Graham James Primary Academy in Thurrock is a state primary school that is clearly in demand. With 459 pupils on roll against a capacity of 480, it is running close to full, and the 2025/26 admissions data confirms this: the school received 184 applications for just 53 places, an oversubscription ratio of 3.47, with 51 of those offers going to first-preference families. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 17.6%, which is worth noting against the national primary average of around 23%, suggesting the school draws from a slightly less disadvantaged intake than the national norm. The school is mixed, non-religious, and caters for children from age 2 up to 11, with nursery provision on site. Headteacher Petra Back leads a school that, in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2025, was judged Good overall, with a standout Outstanding rating for early years provision.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range2 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressThe Sorrells, Stanford-le-Hope, Thurrock, SS17 7ES
HeadteacherPetra Back
Local AuthorityThurrock
Number of Pupils459
Free School Meals (FSM)17.6%
School Capacity459 / 480 (96% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

What 46 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

1 Apr 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Outstanding

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 18 May 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
LibraryOutdoor PlaygroundSensory RoomPlaying FieldsSports HallICT SuiteGymnasiumForest SchoolChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

8

Sports

AthleticsSwimmingDanceCross CountryGymnastics

Clubs & Activities

Science ClubDramaChess

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismMental HealthSpeech & LanguagePhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Graham James Primary Academy

Graham James Primary Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.