Orsett Heath Academy
Stanford Road, Grays, RM16 4DGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Orsett Heath Academy is a secondary school in Grays for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 58 schools in Thurrock. It ranks 4th of 7 secondary schools in Grays. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 17 October 2023, report published 29 November 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 17 October 2023
Pupils have a great 'can-do' attitude in this school. They meet adversity with a smile and show remarkable resilience. They learn outdoors for physical education (PE), whatever the weather. They travel to and fro, accompanied by staff, for some lessons at a neighbouring school. When they have had to move spaces to accommodate external events, they just get on with it. This is because they want to learn, do well and believe strongly in what they can do if they work as a team. Pupils think highly of their teachers. They know teachers have high expectations and they rise to these. Many appreciate the time that teachers give. This may be providing extra tuition after school or sleeping in a tent on a weekend so pupils can complete their hiking expeditions. Pupils are proud of how they have helped to shape the new school, designing its badge and contributing their ideas on how it should run. Partially due to its small size, pupils know each other well. They have strong bonds of friendship that stretch across year groups. As a result, there is a convivial atmosphere at the school. Pupils demonstrate good-natured behaviour. They politely wait, taking turns to go up and down the narrow stairwells.
What the school should improve
- Over time, the trust and school leaders have carefully considered the growth of the school and the impact of this. While, to date, they have made sensible and pragmatic decisions during this early stage of development, the trust and leaders should ensure that they continue to focus on the priorities for successful rapid growth. The school will change with a substantial increase in pupils and staff as they move into a new purpose-built school. Leaders should continue to consider, implement and review their plans so they maintain and build on the effective foundations they have successfully achieved.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
113 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
699 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200
Schools near Orsett Heath Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hathaway Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.1 |
| William Edwards School | 1 mile | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 42.5 |
| Grays Convent High School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 55.7 |
| The Gateway Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 46.1 |
| Thames Park Secondary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 46.4 |
School details
- School type
- Free schools
- Sector
- Free school
- Trust
- SOUTH WEST ESSEX COMMUNITY EDUCATION TRUST LIMITED
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sian Rawson
- Phone
- 01375802800
- Address
- Stanford Road, Grays, RM16 4DG
- Local authority
- Thurrock
- URN
- 147847
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.