OA - Thurrock, Tilbury

From the headteacher's welcome: "OA-Thurrock (OA-Th) is an academy where students are able to grow and develop. We strive to ensure success for all our learners academically, socially and morally. We are a ‘family’ with high standards for all members of our community where respect is at the heart of all that we do."

Across Thurrock, 75% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 93% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Thurrock lodged 113 appeals against secondary school offers; 100 reached a hearing and 9 succeeded (9% of those heard).

The nearest other state secondary schools to OA - Thurrock are The Gateway Academy (0.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50); Thames Park Secondary School (1.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49.1); Grays Convent High School (1.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 51.5); and Orsett Heath Academy (1.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 42).

OA - Thurrock is one of 6 schools run by Olive Academies, an academy trust.

Of the 28 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 21% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 21% to a further education college and 4% to an apprenticeship.

59.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 4.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (77%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 42 pupils (60.9%) received SEN support and 27 (39.1%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Tilbury Town Rail Station, about 620 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Raphael Avenue (n-bound), 330 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood OA - Thurrock stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

The primary schools closest to OA - Thurrock are Lansdowne Primary Academy (0.3 miles), St Mary's Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles), Tilbury Pioneer Academy (0.6 miles) and The Gateway Primary Free School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.