Dilkes Academy, South Ockendon

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our pupils range in age from 3 to 11 years, from Nursery through to Year 6, and are drawn primarily from the local community surrounding the school. At Dilkes Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every child is happy, confident and inspired by a lifelong love of learning."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 95% of Year 6 pupils at Dilkes Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 88% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 81% and 81% in Thurrock and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 85% in reading and 90% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 87 families put Dilkes Academy as their first choice and 196 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. That is 1.4 first choices for every place. 27 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Dilkes Academy are Somers Heath Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 89% reading, 87% maths); Holy Cross Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 90% reading, 83% maths); Shaw Primary Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 88% reading, 89% maths); and Bonnygate Primary School (0.7 miles, 73% reading, 68% maths).

Dilkes Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Dilkes Academy is one of 5 schools run by Catalyst Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 84% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

15.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 35.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (41%), Black (17%) and Asian (10%).

In 2026, 39 pupils (7%) received SEN support and 28 (5.1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

Dilkes Academy has a resourced provision for social, emotional and mental health needs: 10 places, 10 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Ockendon Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Gatehope Drive (southbound), 260 metres away.

In 2024/25, Dilkes Academy issued 1 suspension, 0.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The secondary schools closest to Dilkes Academy are Harris Academy Ockendon (0.4 miles) and Park Academy (0.8 miles).