Classpot

Harris Academy Riverside

Thurrock, RM19 1QYSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Feb 2022
Progress 8
+0.23
Above average
−20+2
Competition
0.8×
Not oversubscribed
147 1st-choice / 178 places
Ranking
#1,012
of 3,141 nationally

About Harris Academy Riverside

Harris Academy Riverside sits in the Thurrock local authority, where it ranks fifth out of ten secondary schools by Progress 8 — a solid mid-table position in a mixed local landscape. The top three peers in the area are Harris Academy Chafford Hundred, Grays Convent High School, and Mossbourne Port Side Academy, all of which post stronger Progress 8 scores. Still, Riverside is the only school in Thurrock’s top five that is not a faith school or an academy converter, which gives it a distinctive place in the local market. It is a large, non-denominational state secondary with a sixth form, led by headteacher Rachel Sofianos, and it serves 1,117 pupils — just shy of its 1,150 capacity. The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 416 applications for 178 places, with 121 first-preference offers made from 147 first-preference applications, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.34. That level of demand suggests it is a popular choice among Thurrock families.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressLondon Road, Purfleet, Thurrock, RM19 1QY
HeadteacherRachel Sofianos
Local AuthorityThurrock
Number of Pupils1,117
Free School Meals (FSM)28.0%
School Capacity1,117 / 1,150 (97% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, 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

22 Feb 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 11 May 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

7
Astro TurfPlaying FieldsTheatreLibraryTennis CourtsSixth Form CentreScience Labs

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

13

Sports

RoundersAthleticsMartial ArtsRowingBasketballDance

Clubs & Activities

DebateChessScience ClubNewspaperYoung EnterpriseDuke of EdinburghModel United Nations

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyMulti-SensoryOther

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Harris Academy Riverside

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