THREE out of four primary school children are now getting a good, or outstanding, education in Thurrock, it has been revealed.
The news came as teachers, governors and community leaders came together last Friday night at the Backstage Centre in Purfleet to celebrate the borough’s first-ever education awards.
Meanwhile statistics, put together by Watchsted – an education company that uses Ofsted data – show Thurrock now lies just below Essex, England and East of England for the percentage of its 13,200 primary age youngsters getting an education rated as at least good by Ofsted.
And the good news comes as awards were given out to the borough’s very best headteachers, teachers and others working so hard to turn things around with their innovation and creativity.
The ceremony also coincided with news Ofsted had graded Treetops, a specialist school in Buxton Road, Grays, as “outstanding”, while also noting a marked improvement at Lansdowne Primary Academy in Tilbury.
John Kent, the leader of Thurrock Council, with special responsibility for education, said: “No one can doubt Thurrock’s schools are on the up. There is one statistic that proves this beyond doubt.
“I have highlighted this time and again, but in 2010 only 33 per cent of Thurrock’s primary age children went to a school described as “good” or “outstanding” by Ofsted.
“Now, despite Ofsted’s increasingly difficult and much harder inspection regime, 75 per cent –
that’s three-quarters – of Thurrock primary pupils attend a good or outstanding school.
“That’s still not good enough, I want 100 per cent, but it shows we are on the right road.”
Later this month, the Government’s education watchdog is expected to officially confirm that three-quarters of the borough’s pupils under 11 are in good or outstanding schools – following an impressive turnaround over the last four years.
Last year, 60 per cent of primaryschool pupils were getting at least a “good” education, while in 2012, it was around 50 per cent.
The improvement at primary school level sees Thurrock draw closer to the success of its secondary
schools, where 93 per cent of pupils are at good or better establishments.
Scroll down for more pictures from the Education Awards
Anthony Peltier, headteacher at Stifford Clays Primary School and chairman of the Thurrock Primary Headteachers Association, said leading schools, like Dilkes in South Ockendon, William Edwards in Stifford
Clays have been fundamental in sharing good practice.
He said: “Seventy-five per cent is a great number, but that includes some schools that still require improvement. They’re ready to be judged as good or better, so we’re excited about the future.”
He added: “Thurrock is vibrant and rich with opportunity. We need our schools to help our young people take those opportunities – that’s what is happening.”
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TEACHING quality and hard work within education in Thurrock were celebrated at the borough's first-ever education awards.
More than 250 people attended the glitzy event at the Backstage Centre, in Purfleet, on Friday night.
There were 14 winners on the night and more than 120 nominees.
Nominees, headteachers, teachers, governors, and other supporters cheered as the announcements were made.
Bill Lucas, a professor of learning at the University of Winchester, praised Thurrock for its vision in a speech.
Claire O'Connor, Teacher of the Year in a Special School
Carmel Littleton, Thurrock council’s director of children’s services said: “We have been looking forward to this night for a year now and it did not disappoint.
“It was an evening to celebrate unsung heroes of education in Thurrock, who work so hard to inspire our students.”
Perry Glading, chief operating officer at the Port of Tilbury, the event’s main sponsor, said: “These awards give us the opportunity to celebrate and recognise those schools and individuals who have gone the extra mile for our future generations.”
Now read:
Lee Greenwood, of William Edwards, winner of the award for Innovation in Learning and Technology
Melissa Wilson and Samantha Calleja, St Clere's art department, winners of the Creative Learning award
Hannah Lebeze, assistant at Thameside Primary Shcool, winner of Excellence in Literacy and Numeracy award
Governing Body of the Year - Aveley Primary School
Christian Berry, left, of the Ockendon Academy, winner of the Aspiring Leader award
Craig Cornelius, left, of William Edwards, Secondary Teacher of the Year
Micarla Walker, right, and Annick Janganant, of Ockendon Studio School, winners of the Employment and Enterprise Award.
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