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catchment.school

William Edwards School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

William Edwards School is an academy converter secondary school in Grays, Thurrock , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1105 pupils, and a capacity of 1200 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-16

Age range

1,105

Pupils

1,200

Capacity

92%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2023

William Edwards School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for William Edwards School?

The catchment area for William Edwards School is the geographic zone Thurrock uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Thurrock publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, William Edwards School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Thurrock. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Operating near capacity: 92% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if William Edwards School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Thurrock before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Thurrock catchment area documents →

William Edwards School: 1200 places, 92% filled: nearing capacity

William Edwards School has a published admission number of 1200 places. 1105 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 92%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 1200, Thurrock's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 20.6% of pupils at William Edwards School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Thurrock.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Thurrock publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Thurrock school admissions →

William Edwards School: School Information

Full address
Stifford Clays Road, Stifford Clays, Grays, RM16 3NJ
Local authority
Thurrock
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
20.6% of pupils
DfE URN
137214

Other Secondary Schools in Grays

If William Edwards School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Grays are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to William Edwards School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: William Edwards School

What is the catchment area for William Edwards School?

The catchment area for William Edwards School is the geographic zone Thurrock uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Thurrock publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is William Edwards School oversubscribed?

William Edwards School is operating close to its capacity of 1200 places (92% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for William Edwards School?

Admission to William Edwards School is managed by Thurrock. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does William Edwards School cover?

William Edwards School is a secondary school in Grays, Thurrock, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for William Edwards School?

William Edwards School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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