William Edwards School is a mainstream secondary school in Grays, Thurrock, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 155 of its 984 pupils (15.8%) were getting SEN support and 35 (3.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 984 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Thurrock.
15.8% get SEN support
155 of 984 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.6% have an EHC plan
35 of 984 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health64
- Autism37
- Moderate learning difficulty37
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia25
- Speech, language and communication12
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
- Academy
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 984 (places for 1,200)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Lynne Sexton
- Part of
- South West Essex Community Education Trust Limited
- Free school meals
- 22.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Thurrock
- School reference (URN)
- 137214
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
Report card, March 2026: Expected standard in 3 of 6 areas
Inspected in March 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceNeeds attention
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Stifford Clays Road, Stifford Clays, Grays, RM16 3NJ
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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
- Stifford Clays Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.3 miles
- Deneholm Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.7 miles
- Treetops Free School Special school · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.3 miles
- Treetops School Special school · Ages 5–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about William Edwards School
How many pupils at William Edwards School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 155 of the 984 pupils (15.8%) were getting SEN support and 35 (3.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at William Edwards School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (64 pupils), autism (37 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (37 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at William Edwards 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 William Edwards 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 William Edwards School?
You can ask for William Edwards 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 William Edwards 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 Stifford Clays Primary School, about 0.3 miles away.
Where is William Edwards School?
Stifford Clays Road, Stifford Clays, Grays, RM16 3NJ, 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.