STUDENTS across Thurrock discovered the outcome of their educational efforts yesterday (Thursday, 20 August) when GCSE results were declared.

Schools across the borough welcomed students, families and teachers to receive their results and celebrate their achievements.

As students consider their next steps, careers support will continue to be available throughout the summer for anyone who would like advice or guidance about their options.

A results day support session will take place at the Inspire Hub in Grays on Wednesday, 26 August from 10am to 12:30pm, offering the opportunity to speak with careers advisers and explore education, training and employment pathways.

Anyone wishing to attend can simply drop in - just remember to bring your ID and results.

Cllr Milena Bingley, cabinet member for Education, Skills and Children's Services, said: "Congratulations to all the students receiving their GCSE results today. Whether you are progressing to sixth form, college, an apprenticeship or another pathway, this is an important milestone, and you should be proud of your hard work and commitment.

"We know that results day can bring a range of emotions for young people, and some may still be deciding what their next steps look like. Whatever your results, we are here to support you. Come along to the Inspire Hub, and our team of careers advisers can help you to understand your options and explore the different pathways that are available."

Harris Academy Ockendon

At Harris Academy Ockendon students received an impressive set of results.

In English, 73% of students achieved a strong pass, with more than a fifth securing at least a Grade 7. 52% of students achieved a strong pass in maths, and 73% passed at Grade 4.

Commenting on results across Year 11, Principal Jo Rainey said: "Today we celebrate a wonderful group of young people whose determination, resilience and enthusiasm have led to this well-earned success.

"Year 11 have distinguished themselves through both their academic achievements and the values they embody every day. We are immensely proud of them and look forward to watching them embrace new opportunities. I have every confidence that they will continue to thrive, inspire others and accomplish great things in sixth form and beyond."

Gateway Academy

Gateway Academy celebrated a record-breaking year of GCSE success, with its 2025 -2026 Year 11 students achieving the highest results in the Academy's history.

Students delivered exceptional performances across the curriculum, with results in key subjects including English, maths, science, history, languages, psychology, dance, drama, photography and art significantly exceeding national averages and an outstanding number of students securing the very highest grades.

Among the headline achievements, 28% of students achieved Grade 7 or above in English, while 26% achieved Grade 7 or above in maths, equivalent to the former A and A* grades.

The Academy also celebrated an exceptionally high number of prestigious Grade 9s across a wide range of subjects. Grade 9 is the highest grade available at GCSE.

The Academy's Attainment 8 score, a key national measure of students' achievement across eight subjects was also above the national average, demonstrating the strength and breadth of achievement across the curriculum.

The school said: "Together, the results represent an important milestone for Gateway Academy and reinforce its continued commitment to high expectations, academic excellence and ensuring every young person has the opportunity to fulfill their potential."

Headteacher Grainne McLaughlin congratulated the Year 11 cohort on their record-breaking achievements and praised the determination they demonstrated throughout their time at the Academy.

"I congratulate our 2025-2026 Year 11 students on the outstanding progress and success they have achieved during their time with us. To achieve the highest results in our Academy's history is a tremendous accomplishment and one of which our entire community can be incredibly proud.

"Our students have shown remarkable determination, ambition and resilience. The exceptional number of top grades achieved, alongside such strong performances in English, maths and across the wider curriculum, demonstrates just what our young people are capable of achieving.

"But our pride in this year group goes far beyond their academic results. We are proud of every single one of our students and all that they have achieved during their time at Gateway. Most importantly, we are incredibly proud of the wonderful young people they have become.

"Throughout their journey with us, they have demonstrated the values at the heart of our Academy — responsibility, resilience, compassion and aspiration — and we know they will carry these qualities with them as they take their next steps."

Ms McLaughlin also paid tribute to the staff, families and wider community who supported students throughout their journey.

"Success on this scale is a collective achievement. Our exceptional staff have worked tirelessly to challenge, encourage and support our students, while the support of parents, carers and our wider community has been invaluable."

"Together, we have created an Academy where young people are encouraged to aim high, embrace opportunity and fulfil their potential — academically, creatively and personally. These record-breaking results are a wonderful reflection of that shared ambition, but the true measure of our success is seeing our students leave us as confident, compassionate and aspirational young people, ready to make a positive contribution to the world around them. We could not be prouder of them."

The results mark a historic year for The Gateway Academy and provide a strong foundation as the Academy continues to build on its success, raise aspirations and create opportunities for future generations of students.

Viki Reid, CEO of the Gateway Learning Community (GLC), also commended the students: "What a wonderful day for our Year 11 students and their families. I am extremely proud of the excellent GCSE results they have achieved. This success is a reflection of the hard work and resilience they've shown both in their academic studies and across their wider achievements.

"It is also a reflection of our brilliant teachers, our inspirational leaders, and all their parents and carers who have supported them to consistently improve upon their best. We are confident that they will go on to achieve incredible things personally and become active and thriving citizens."

St Clere's

Former year 11 students returned to St. Clere's School in Stanford-le-Hope came together with staff and families as the class of 2026 matched and improved on the results from the previous year.

A statement from the school says: "Behind every grade is a story of determination, perseverance and resilience; the pursuit of excellence. Whether students have achieved the very highest grades, exceeded their targets or overcome significant challenges along the way, they have much to be proud of from the results today.

"We would like to thank our dedicated staff and supportive families, whose encouragement and guidance have supported our students throughout their journey.

"This year's results include several exceptional individual achievements. Hannah Skiba achieved three grade 9s, a Distinction* and five grade 8s. Patrick Glowacki achieved 4 grade 9s, four grade 8s and two grade 7s. Ilias Bouafia achieved four grade 9s, two grade 8s and three grade 7s. Peter Adebusoye achieved three grade 9s, five grade 8s and one 7. These successes sit alongside many other remarkable accomplishments across the cohort, reflecting the ambition, resilience and dedication of our students.

Grays Convent High School

There was joy and celebration at Grays Convent High School as Year 11 students received their results, marking another year of academic excellence and hard-earned success.

Headteacher Penny Johnson praised the students and staff for their dedication and achievements, stating: "Today has been a wonderful celebration of our pupils' successes.

"All of us at the school are thoroughly delighted and proud of every single student, sharing in their excitement about these results and the next stage of their adventures in education. As always, it is a privilege to work with these astonishing, inspiring and talented young people and to play a part in their lives. Our staff give their all every year to work with them and should be rightly proud."

Special recognition at the Convent went to top student Nusiratu, who achieved an exceptional eight Grade 9s and one Grade 8, and two Grade 7s. She was closely followed by Alice, with five grade 9's, three grade 8s and two grade 7s, Dami with three grade 9's, five Grade 8's and two grade 7s and Raeleigh with two 9s, three 8s, four 7s and two 6s.

Head Girl Renesha also celebrated a brilliant set of results with a full sweep of Grade 7's and 6's — all while fulfilling her leadership role within the school community with dedication and grace.

The Convent, which has just come through months of internal unrest and industrial action, said: "As students now look ahead to their next steps in education and beyond, Grays Convent High School reflects with pride on another year of exceptional achievement and personal growth."

Mossbourne Port Side

Mossbourne Port Side

The former Hassenbrook Academy, now called Mossbourne Port Side after an educational trust takeover two years ago, is claiming a best ever set of GCSE results.

The year 11 class of 2026 have record-breaking results in Spanish and the highest number of Grade 9s in the academy's history.

A statement from the school says: "The results mark another significant milestone for Mossbourne Port Side Academy and reflect the ambition, determination and hard work of students and staff throughout the academic year.

• 13% of grades awarded were at Grade 7 or above

• 43% were at Grade 5 or above

• 43% of students achieved Grade 5 or above in English and Maths

"This year also saw particularly strong performances across a range of subjects. Spanish achieved its best-ever results, while students across the academy secured more Grade 9s than in any previous year, demonstrating the growing strength of the academy's highest academic outcomes."

Port Side Principal Tom Austin said: "I am immensely proud of our Year 11 students and everything they have achieved. These results are the product of their hard work, determination and resilience, and it is particularly exciting to see the highest number of Grade 9s in the academy's history."

"Our students have responded exceptionally well to high expectations and to the challenges and changes they have encountered during their time with us. Their achievements demonstrate what is possible when young people are ambitious for themselves and are supported by dedicated staff and families who share that ambition."

"I would like to congratulate every member of the Class of 2026. Behind every result is an individual story of effort, perseverance and progress, and every student should be proud of what they have accomplished. I would also like to thank our staff, parents and carers for the commitment and support they have given our students throughout their GCSE journey."

The school added: "Highlights from this year's results at Port Side include:

• English: 66% achieved Grade 4+, 52% achieved Grade 5+ and 11% achieved Grade 7+
• Maths: 69% achieved Grade 4+, 53% achieved Grade 5+ and 20% achieved Grade 7+
• Spanish: Record-breaking results for the academy
• Grade 9s: The highest number ever achieved by a Mossbourne Port Side Academy cohort
• Music: 62% achieved Grade 7+
• Drama: 100% achieved Grade 4+
• pSport: 71% achieved Grade 4+

"There were some outstanding individual highlights to celebrate. Particular congratulations go to:

• Adam Bassett, who achieved Grade 7 or above in all 9 subjects, including 3 Grade 9s.
• Aliyyah Adeyemi, who achieved Grade 7 or above in 8 subjects, including 3 Grade 9s.
• Alexis Perry-Ward, who achieved Grade 7 or above in 7 subjects, including 3 Grade 9s.

"The success of the Class of 2026 reflects the strength of the partnership between students, staff, parents and carers. Together, they have contributed to a culture in which young people are encouraged to aim high, work hard and develop the knowledge, confidence and character they need for the future.

"Mossbourne Port Side Academy remains committed to providing a transformational education and ensuring that every student is supported to fulfil their potential. This year's results, including new academy records, provide further evidence of the progress being made and an exciting foundation on which to build. "

Mossbourne Fobbing Academy

Port Side's sister academy, the former Gable Hall School now known as Fobbing Academy, is also in celebratory mood with Mossbourne reported 'the academy continues to build on the significant improvements achieved last year'.

A statement says: "Not content with just matching the remarkable results of 2025, the class of 2026 have broken more school records. Importantly for their future choices and opportunities, one such record was the numbers achieving a strong pass (grade 5 or higher) in both English and Mathematics, which rose for the second year in a row to 46%.

"While across the country there remains a persistent disadvantage gap where students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and/or those in receipt of free school meals (FSM) make far less progress than their peers, at MossbourneFobbing Academy, results for such students increased sharply and are now in line with their peers.

"This breaking of a disadvantage gap is a significant achievement that will support the most disadvantaged students to fulfil their potential.

"Other records were broken in English where results were once again notably above national averages.

• Almost one third of students achieved the highest grades (7 or higher).
• More than two-thirds secured a strong pass (grade 5 or higher) – a figure expected to be nearly 20% higher than the national average.

"There was further outstanding performance across the wider curriculum. History continued to excel and were joined by many of the arts subjects, including Drama and Dance, in achieving results that far surpass national benchmarks.

"There were many exceptional individual performances to celebrate too. Particular congratulations go to:

• Bobby Dunsdon, who achieved Grade 7 or above in seven subjects, including four Grade 9s;
• Amy Gjoni, who achieved Grade 7 or above in eight subjects, including six at Grade 8 or higher;
• Mason Sargeant, who achieved Grade 7 or above in eight subjects, including three Grade 9s;
• Sophie Doyle, who secured Grade 7 or above in six subjects, including two Grade 9s.

Fobbing Academy Principal Sam Cooper said: "We are so proud of what our Year 11 students have achieved. They worked incredibly hard and thoroughly deserve the congratulations that will come their way and the doors to future opportunities that will now open beforethem."

"It is particularly pleasing that our most disadvantaged students, including those with Special Educational Needs or those in receipt of Free School Meals, have bucked the national trend and have achieved in line with their peers. This shows the difference that high expectations and ambition can make to the life chances of our most vulnerable children.

"Last year represented a significant step forward for the academy, with results improving dramatically across the curriculum. Maintaining such standards and pushing to break more records was our challenge this year - our students and staff have done exactly that."

Details from more borough schools to follow.