Graham James Primary Academy

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.

Academically, Graham James performs solidly within Thurrock. At Key Stage 2 in the 2023/24 academic year, 72% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is above the local authority average of 67%. The school ranks 15th out of 39 primary schools in Thurrock, placing it in the top 50% locally. Looking at individual subjects, reading and writing expected rates were 83% and 87% respectively, while maths was 82%. At the higher standard, 7% of pupils achieved greater depth across all three subjects, with reading leading at 48% higher standard and maths at 27%. Average scaled scores were 107 in reading and 106 in maths. The school has held a Good rating from Ofsted consistently across its two most recent inspections, with the previous graded inspection in 2013 also awarding Good for overall effectiveness, leadership and management.

The school offers a strong range of facilities including a library, sports hall, gymnasium, playing fields, forest school area, sensory room and ICT suite. Sports on offer include athletics, swimming, dance, cross country and gymnastics, and there are clubs such as science, drama and chess. SEND provision covers moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication, physical disability, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. Parent View responses from 46 families between September 2024 and September 2025 show 94% strongly agreeing or agreeing that their child is happy, and 94% feeling safe. However, only 45% agreed that the school makes them aware of what their child will learn, and 50% agreed that SEND children receive the support they need. 76% of respondents would recommend the school. This is a popular, oversubscribed school that suits families seeking a well-equipped primary with strong early years provision and above-average KS2 outcomes in Thurrock.

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