William Edwards School

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 16

Report card: Needs attention to expected standard

Stifford Clays Road, Stifford Clays, Grays, RM16 3NJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

William Edwards School is a secondary school in Grays for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 58 schools in Thurrock. It ranks 7th of 7 secondary schools in Grays. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in March 2026.

Ofsted report card

Inspected 10 March 2026, report published 9 June 2026

Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.

Inclusion: Expected standard
Curriculum and teaching: Needs attention
Achievement: Needs attention
Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard
Personal development and wellbeing: Expected standard
Leadership and governance: Needs attention
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

233 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score42.5

42.5, 3.6 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths34.8%

34.8%, 10.6 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths54.9%

54.9%, 9.9 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc42.1%

42.1%, 1.6 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.64

3.64, 0.45 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

984 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200

Eligible for free school meals22.4%

22.4%, 4.1 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language8.5%

8.5%, 13.1 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support15.8%

15.8%, 1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.6%

3.6%, 2.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near William Edwards School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
The Hathaway Academy	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 41.1
Orsett Heath Academy	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 47.0
Grays Convent High School	1 mile	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 55.7
Thames Park Secondary School	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 46.4
Harris Academy Chafford Hundred	2 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	Attainment 8: 55.5

School details

School type: Academy converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: SOUTH WEST ESSEX COMMUNITY EDUCATION TRUST LIMITED
Age range: 11 to 16
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: No
Headteacher: Mrs Lynne Sexton
Phone: 01375486000
Website: williamedwards.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Stifford Clays Road, Stifford Clays, Grays, RM16 3NJ
Local authority: Thurrock
URN: 137214

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.