The Light Christian School, Grays

Prep

Other independent school

Mixed

Ages 3–11

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

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Key Information

DfE GIAS

Head:Mr Afolabi Joseph

Pupils:23 / 80 capacity

LA:Thurrock

Phone:01375271017

Website:thelight-school.org

Address:Suite 1, Queensgate Centre, Orsett Road, Grays, RM17 5DF

Area:Schools in RM17

Status:open

Opened:10 February 2025

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 3 months ago

Report card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)

Exceptional

Strong

Expected

Needs Attention

Urgent

Achievement

Needs Attention

Behaviour

Strong Standard

Personal Development

Needs Attention

Leadership

Urgent Improvement

Early Years

Urgent Improvement

Inspected 17 June 2026View full report

URN:151319

Diocese:Not applicable

Constituency:Thurrock

Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

The Light Christian School creates a caring community where pupils are happy, feel safe and behave exceptionally well. The school successfully promotes its values of faith, love and excellence, helping pupils develop kindness and respect for others from different backgrounds. Pupils love reading and benefit from a strong moral education linked to their faith.

Key Strengths

Excellent attendance rates with most pupils attending every day
Impeccable behaviour and conduct throughout the school, guided by strong moral values
High expectations and positive school culture with strong sense of community and care
Effective safeguarding with an open, positive culture where all staff take responsibility

Areas for Improvement

Curriculum is not well designed for mixed-age classes - pupils taught same content regardless of age or stage
Teaching is not adapted to individual pupil needs - some get work too easy, others skip essential building blocks
Early years curriculum lacks clarity on when and what knowledge should be taught
Support plans for pupils needing extra help are too broad and lack detail
Phonics teaching is not systematic enough and reading books not always matched to pupils' knowledge

Safeguarding

Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed.

Extracurricular Activities

Art clubs, music clubs, sports clubs, singing, leadership positions, museum trips, theatre visits

The Light Christian School is a relatively new Christian school with strong attendance and exceptional pupil behaviour, but faces significant challenges with curriculum design and teaching effectiveness that are limiting pupil achievement.