Grays Convent High School is a mainstream secondary school in Grays, Thurrock, for girls aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 57 of its 655 pupils (8.7%) were getting SEN support and 6 (0.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 655 pupils
- Girls only
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Thurrock.
8.7% get SEN support
57 of 655 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
0.9% have an EHC plan
6 of 655 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty30
- Social, emotional and mental health12
- Speech, language and communication8
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Voluntary aided school
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Girls only
- Pupils
- 655 (places for 620)
- Headteacher
- Mr Andrew Bull
- Faith
- Roman Catholic
- Free school meals
- 21.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Thurrock
- School reference (URN)
- 115239
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Thurrock council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, June 2013; school remains Good (May 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in June 2013. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, May 2023).
Contact and getting there
College Avenue, Grays, RM17 5UX
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Quarry Hill Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.1 miles
- Thameside Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 0.6 miles
- Treetops Free School Special school · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
- Treetops School Special school · Ages 5–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 19.1%, EHC plans 4.3% 0.2 miles
- The Hathaway Academy Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 16.6%, EHC plans 3.2% 0.5 miles
- Little Thurrock Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 12.8%, EHC plans 4.1% 0.6 miles
Questions about Grays Convent High School
How many pupils at Grays Convent High School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 57 of the 655 pupils (8.7%) were getting SEN support and 6 (0.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Grays Convent High School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (30 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (12 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (8 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Grays Convent High School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Grays Convent High School?
Through Thurrock council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Grays Convent High School?
You can ask for Grays Convent High School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Grays Convent High School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Quarry Hill Academy, about 0.1 miles away.
Where is Grays Convent High School?
College Avenue, Grays, RM17 5UX, in Thurrock.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.