Woodside Academy
Grays, RM16 2GJ · Thurrock · primary school
Check the area around this school
14th of 39 primary schools in Thurrock we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.0/10 against 3,752 of them, against 7.5/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 73.0 · 73 | 40% | 2.93 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Woodside Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 73.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 13.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 662 pupils against a stated capacity of 660. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
With the roll exceeding capacity by 2, how does the school manage class sizes during the entry year? Since the inspection was in 2024, what specific improvements have been made to the curriculum since then? How do the breakfast and after-school clubs integrate with the main school day for families needing wraparound support?
What Ofsted said about Woodside Academy
Overview
Woodside Academy continues to be a good school, providing a calm and purposeful environment where pupils are happy, safe, and proud of their community. The report highlights that staff maintain high expectations for learning and behaviour, resulting in pupils who are inquisitive and achieve well in assessments.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy "trusting relationships with adults" in a "nurturing and supportive environment" where they feel safe and are accepting of others.
- Teachers possess "secure knowledge of the subjects they teach" and effectively check understanding to address misconceptions.
- The school places a "high priority... on reading," with prompt actions addressing phonics outcomes and older pupils acting as reading mentors.
- Staff effectively adapt learning for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they "access the same learning as their peers."
- Pupils benefit from an "extensive range of experiences," including national awards in music and residential visits that build independence.
Areas to improve
- In a few curriculum areas, subject plans lack precision in breaking knowledge into manageable steps, leading to inconsistencies in teaching and weaker pupil recall.
- Governors do not fully check the effectiveness of the curriculum through their quality assurance approaches, limiting their ability to hold leaders to account.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 74% |
| 2023/24 | 77% |
| 2024/25 | 73% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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