Harris Academy Riverside, Purfleet

Ofsted's report card from its 28 April 2026 inspection grades Harris Academy Riverside on 7 areas: 3 strong standard and 4 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils want to attend this warm, welcoming and supportive school."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "There is an inclusive culture of care at this school."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have a succinct understanding of their school and its context."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Leaders are committed to ensuring that all groups of pupils achieve well so that they are prepared and equipped for their chosen future pathways."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The curriculum is broad, balanced and well considered."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed an appropriate programme for pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Post 16 provision - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that the post-16 provision is an inclusive, welcoming and ambitious place to be."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the personal development and wellbeing programme allows pupils to develop a secure and detailed knowledge across all key stages"; "Leaders should ensure that the implementation of the curriculum is consistent across all key stages to ensure that all pupils have the best possible learning experience".

In its own words: "At HARI, we are driven by a simple purpose: to give every student the knowledge and grades that open doors and create real choice for their future. We care deeply about providing a great education. One that combines academic excellence with character development. Everything we do is rooted in our motto: Sharp Minds, Kind Hearts, Bright Futures."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Harris Academy Riverside Sixth Form, where ambition meets excellence. With expert teaching, state-of-the-art facilities, we prepare students for top universities and future leadership. Learn more about our provision and why we are so proud of both our staff and student body."

Coming up: an open evening on Thursday 5 November 2026 at 5pm. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Harris Academy Riverside averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.2 in Thurrock and 47 across England.

47% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 46% in Thurrock and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 47.9.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.23: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 40.5, against 51.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 11.4 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Business Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 148 families put Harris Academy Riverside as their first choice and 416 named it as one of their preferences, for 180 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 18 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Harris Academy Riverside are Leigh UTC Dartford (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 41.3); Park Academy (1.9 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 37.6); Stone Lodge School (2.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 39.5); and Harris Academy Chafford Hundred (2.3 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 56.5).

Harris Academy Riverside's 2026 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Harris Academy Riverside is one of 59 schools run by Harris Federation, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 50.5 in 2024/25.

Of the 184 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 87% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 41% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 74 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 74% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 11% into work. 35% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

32.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Black (29%), White British (23%) and Asian (12%).

In 2026, 109 pupils (9.8%) received SEN support and 32 (2.9%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Purfleet Rail Station, about 300 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Harris Riverside Academy (outside), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 79 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Thurrock (163).

In 2024/25, Harris Academy Riverside issued 150 suspensions, 13.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Harris Academy Riverside are Purfleet Primary Academy (0.5 miles), Dartford Bridge Community Primary School (1.3 miles), Aveley Primary School (1.6 miles) and West Thurrock Academy (1.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.