St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Grays, Thurrock, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 101 of its 530 pupils (19.1%) were getting SEN support and 23 (4.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 530 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Thurrock.
19.1% get SEN support
101 of 530 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4.3% have an EHC plan
23 of 530 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication58
- Moderate learning difficulty35
- Social, emotional and mental health17
- Autism8
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 primary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 530 (places for 624)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Emilie Poulteney (Head of School)
- Part of
- Christus Catholic Trust
- Faith
- Roman Catholic
- Free school meals
- 18.1% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Thurrock
- School reference (URN)
- 146299
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, July 2012; school remains Good (June 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in July 2012. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, June 2023).
Contact and getting there
Ward Avenue, Grays, RM17 5RW
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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 0.3 miles
- Deneholm Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.7 miles
- Treetops Free School Special school · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
- Treetops School Special school · Ages 5–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
How many pupils at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 101 of the 530 pupils (19.1%) were getting SEN support and 23 (4.3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (58 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (35 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (17 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary 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 St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary 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 St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School?
You can ask for St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary 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 St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary 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 0.3 miles away.
Where is St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School?
Ward Avenue, Grays, RM17 5RW, 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.