The Gateway Academy
Marshfoot Road, Grays, RM16 4LUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Gateway Academy is a secondary school in Grays for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 58 schools in Thurrock. It ranks 5th of 7 secondary schools in Grays. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 27 March 2019, report published 29 April 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 10 December 2024
There is a palpable sense of community at the Gateway Academy. Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, thrive in their well-being due to the ethos of kindness. Pupils and families praise the wide-ranging support. For instance, there are well-attended learning activities before and after the school day. Pupils are safe and happy at the school. This also helps them have high attendance. Behaviour is excellent. Classrooms are purposeful. Pupils work hard and are eager to learn. Throughout the day, they are orderly and polite. Pupils help to build this positive culture. For example, anti-bullying ambassadors are instrumental in resolving any unkind behaviour. Pupils benefit from high expectations for learning. This is in all subjects, but especially in English and mathematics pupils are highly successful. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do really well. Pupils live and breathe the school's values. They demonstrate aspiration and responsibility through the many leadership roles. For example, pupils present the regular video news bulletin confidently. Pupils engage frequently with the wider community, such as sitting on the board of the borough council. They learn compassion, for instance when they help the school provide Christmas presents for others who might not get them.
What the school should improve
- In a few cases, learning activities do not help pupils to learn the intended knowledge as well as they might. This means that, in a few areas, pupils do not do as well as they could. The school should make sure that teachers know how to create and use activities that enable pupils to develop their learning with confidence.
- Teachers, on occasion, do not help pupils to make appropriate connections with prior and future learning. This means pupils sometimes struggle to discuss and apply their learning in depth and detail. The school needs to ensure that it gives teachers the guidance and support they need to be able to help pupils to build up a more connected web of knowledge.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
197 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,030 pupils on roll, with places for 1,035
Schools near The Gateway Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orsett Heath Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 47.0 |
| Grays Convent High School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 55.7 |
| Thames Park Secondary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 46.4 |
| The Hathaway Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.1 |
| William Edwards School | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 42.5 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- GATEWAY LEARNING COMMUNITY
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Grainne McLaughlin
- Phone
- 01375489000
- Address
- Marshfoot Road, Grays, RM16 4LU
- Local authority
- Thurrock
- URN
- 133114
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.