Classpot

William Edwards School

Thurrock, RM16 3NJSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
Nov 2023
Progress 8
-0.29
Below average
−20+2
Competition
0.5×
Not oversubscribed
93 1st-choice / 201 places
Ranking
#2,227
of 3,141 nationally

About William Edwards School

William Edwards School is a heavily oversubscribed secondary in Thurrock, with 427 applications for 201 places in the 2025/26 admissions round — a ratio of 2.12 applicants per place. Of those, 92 first-preference offers were made from 93 first-preference applications, suggesting that almost every family who put it top got in, but competition for those spots is fierce. The school doesn't publish a parent-view survey result, so it's harder to gauge satisfaction directly, but the oversubscription figure alone tells you it's a popular choice locally. Headteacher Neil Frost leads a mixed, non-denominational 11-16 school with 1,105 pupils on roll, operating just below its 1,200 capacity. Around a fifth of pupils (20.6%) are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average and gives some context to the school's intake. The school has no sixth form, so students move on elsewhere after Year 11.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressStifford Clays Road, Grays, Thurrock, RM16 3NJ
HeadteacherNeil Frost
Local AuthorityThurrock
Number of Pupils1,105
Free School Meals (FSM)20.6%
School Capacity1,105 / 1,200 (92% full)

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

7 Nov 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Source: Ofsted, 12 Dec 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

6
Dining HallSwimming PoolTennis CourtsSports HallAstro TurfICT Suite

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

18

Sports

CricketDanceRugbyRoundersMartial ArtsBasketballGymnasticsHockeyNetball

Clubs & Activities

DramaDuke of EdinburghChoirModel United NationsScience ClubFilm ClubArt ClubYoung EnterpriseChess

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

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

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:45 – 15:30

Source: williamedwards.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About William Edwards School

William Edwards School has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.