{{short description|Town in Essex, England}} {{Use British English|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox UK place | official_name = Grays | static_image_name = High St - geograph.org.uk - 2515612.jpg | static_image_caption = Grays High Street | unitary_england = Thurrock | lieutenancy_england = Essex | region = East of England | country = England | coordinates = {{coord|51.475|0.330|display=inline,title}} | population = 44,345 | population_ref = (Built up area, 2021)<ref name=bua>{{cite web |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |website=Census 2021 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=17 October 2025}}</ref> | constituency_westminster = Thurrock | post_town = Grays | postcode_area = RM | postcode_district = RM16-RM17, RM20 | postcode_district1 = | dial_code = 01375 | os_grid_reference = TQ615773 }} '''Grays''', historically also known as '''Grays Thurrock''', is the largest town and administrative headquarters of the borough of Thurrock, in Essex, England. The town is located on the north bank of the River Thames, approximately {{convert|20|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} east of central London, and {{convert|2|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} east of the M25 motorway. Its economy is linked to Port of London industries, its own offices, retail and the Lakeside Shopping Centre at West Thurrock. At the 2021 census the Grays built up area as defined by the Office for National Statistics (which does not include the adjoining Chafford Hundred) had a population of 44,345.
Grays Thurrock was an ancient parish. It was abolished as a civil parish in 1936 on the creation of Thurrock Urban District, which in turn became the modern borough of Thurrock in 1974. Grays Thurrock remains the name of one of Thurrock's Church of England parishes.
==History== Archaeological evidence indicates that the area now occupied by Grays has been inhabited by humans since the Palaeolithic period.<ref name=VCH>{{cite book |editor1-last=Powell |editor1-first=W. R. |title=A History of the County of Essex: Volume 8 |date=1983 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |pages=35–56 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol8/pp35-56 |access-date=15 January 2026 |chapter=Parishes: Grays Thurrock}}</ref>
The Domesday Book of 1086 records seven estates or manors at a vill called Thurrock. Two of the Thurrock manors were in the hundred of Barstable and the other five were in the hundred of Chafford. The Domesday Book does not otherwise distinguish between the Thurrock manors by name. No church or priest is explicitly mentioned under any of the Thurrock entries. The area subsequently became three parishes: Little Thurrock, covering the two manors in Barstable hundred; Grays Thurrock, broadly covering the manor in Chafford hundred that had been owned by William Peverel at the time of the Domesday Book; and West Thurrock, covering the remainder of the Thurrock manors in Chafford hundred.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Powell-Smith |first1=Anna |title=[Grays and West] Thurrock |url=https://opendomesday.org/place/XX0000/grays-and-west-thurrock/ |website=Open Domesday |access-date=15 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Powell-Smith |first1=Anna |title=[Little] Thurrock |url=https://opendomesday.org/place/TQ6277/little-thurrock/ |website=Open Domesday |access-date=15 January 2026}}</ref><ref name=VCH/>
The name Thurrock means the place where dirty water or bilge collects. The name was typically applied to the bottom of a ship, but in this case is thought to refer to marshy areas on the banks of the Thames.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grays Thurrock |url=http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Essex/Grays%20Thurrock |website=Key to English Place-Names |publisher=University of Nottingham |access-date=15 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=PH Reaney|title=The Place-Names of Essex|publisher=CUP|year=1969}}</ref> By 1190, the manor which had been owned by William Peverel in 1086 had come to be under the tenancy of a Jewish man called Isaac, son of Josce the Rabbi. In 1194, Isaac's son, another Josce, lost possession of the manor when it was seized by the crown. The following year, 1195, the crown granted the manor to Henry de Grey, who also purchased Josce's remaining interest in the manor. The manor thereafter remained in the possession of the de Grey family until the 16th century, and so the manor and its associated parish both became known as Grays Thurrock. Over time, Grays Thurrock generally became known just as Grays.<ref name=VCH/><ref>{{cite book|title=Essex|first1=AR Hope|last1=Moncrief|first2=L Burleigh|last2=Bruhl|publisher=Adam and Charles Black|year=1909|page=107}}</ref> Today, the Royal Mail just uses Grays as the name for the post town,<ref>{{cite web |title=Find an address |url=https://www.royalmail.com/find-a-postcode |publisher=Royal Mail |access-date=15 January 2026}} (See for example postcode RM17 6SL.)</ref> and the Office for National Statistics likewise calls the built up area just Grays.<ref name=bua/>
thumb|left|St Peter's and St Paul's Church A church is known to have existed at Grays by the late 12th century.<ref name=VCH/> The church is dedicated to St Peter and St Paul. Fragments of late 12th century and 13th century fabric survive, notably in the tower, but most of the building was rebuilt in 1846.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Church of St Peter and St Paul|grade=II|num=1111573}}</ref> The Church of England ecclesiastical parish it serves is still officially called Grays Thurrock.<ref>{{cite web |title=St Peter & St Paul's, Grays Parish Church |url=https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/6341/more-information/ |website=A Church near You |publisher=The Church of England |access-date=15 January 2026}}</ref>
Samuel Pepys recorded in his diary that he visited Grays on 24 September 1665 and apparently bought fish from the local fishermen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/9949757.when-samuel-pepys-visited-grays/|title=When Samuel Pepys visited Grays|website=Thurrock Gazette|date=26 September 2012 }}</ref>
The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway opened its line from London as far as Tilbury in April 1854, and Grays railway station opened a few months later on 13 August 1854.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kay |first1=Peter |title=London Tilbury and Southend - a history of the company and line Volume 4 |date=2010 |publisher=Peter Kay |location=Wivenhoe |isbn=978 1 899890 47 7 |page=325}}</ref>
Parts of Grays and Chafford Hundred are set within three Victorian chalk pits; the largest two are the Lion Gorge and the Warren Gorge. Another area of the Chafford Hundred residential development is built on a Victorian landfill site.
In 1903 a Free Library was opened on Orsett Road, financed in part by Andrew Carnegie. It was demolished after the 2nd World War to make way for the Thameside Complex.<ref>[https://www.thurrock-history.org.uk/blog/?p=423 Thurrock Local History Society] </ref>
Thurrock Town Hall on New Road in Grays was built in the 1980s;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/competitions/competition-thurrock-civic-offices|title=Competition: Thurrock Civic Offices|date=15 May 2018|publisher=Architects Journal|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> work on an extension began in January 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yourthurrock.com/2020/01/27/demolition-begins-part-plans-thurrock-councils-10-million-new-offices/|title=Demolition begins as part of plans for Thurrock Council's £10 million new offices|date=27 January 2020|newspaper=Your Thurrock|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>
On 23 October 2019, the bodies of 39 people were found in the back of a lorry at Waterglade Industrial Park in Eastern Avenue. They are believed to have been victims of human trafficking, or migrants being smuggled into Britain. The vehicle, registered in Bulgaria, was thought to have travelled to the UK through Purfleet from Zeebrugge. A 25-year-old lorry driver from Northern Ireland was arrested by Essex Police on suspicion of murder<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-50150070|title=Lorry driver held as 39 found dead in trailer|publisher=BBC News |date=23 October 2019}}</ref> and pleaded guilty to manslaughter in April 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-52214839 |title=Essex lorry deaths: Driver Maurice Robinson admits manslaughter |publisher=BBC |date=2020-04-08 |access-date=2020-05-30}}</ref> Essex Police launched an investigation afterwards and the lorry was moved to the nearby Port of Tilbury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.essex.police.uk/news/essex/news/news/2019/october/murder-investigation-launched-after-39-people-found-dead-in-lorry-container/|title=Murder investigation launched after 39 people found dead in lorry container | Essex Police|website=essex.police.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-50162617|title=39 found dead in lorry 'were Chinese nationals'|publisher=BBC News |date=24 October 2019}}</ref> It is the biggest murder investigation in the history of Essex police. On 26 May 2020, a total of 26 further suspects, most of them Vietnamese nationals, were arrested in Belgium and France.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.20minutes.fr/monde/2787411-20200527-camion-charnier-londres-13-interpellations-france-13-autres-belgique?obref=obinsource |title=Camion charnier de Londres : Treize interpellations en France, 13 autres en Belgique |trans-title=Mass-grave truck: thirteen arrests in France, 13 more in Belgium |language=fr |work=20minutes.fr |date=2020-05-27 |access-date=2020-05-30}}</ref>
== Geography == Grays contains the wards and residential areas of Grays Riverside, Grays Thurrock, Stifford Clays, Little Thurrock Blackshots, Little Thurrock Rectory and Chadwell St Mary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Additional licensing for HMOs {{!}} Houses in multiple occupation {{!}} Thurrock Council |url=https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/houses-in-multiple-occupation/additional-licensing-for-hmos |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=Thurrock Council}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Thurrock Council – Community Needs and Open Spaces Study Accompanying Maps |url=https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/sites/default/files/assets/documents/ldf_tech_openspaces_maps.pdf |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=Thurrock Council}}</ref> Parts of Chafford Hundred and North and South Stifford are also in Grays.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thurrock Council – Areas for Additional HMO licensing, 2019-2024 |url=https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/sites/default/files/assets/documents/hmo-additional-licensing-2019-2024-v01.pdf |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=Thurrock Council}}</ref>
The town is approximately {{convert|20|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} east of London on the north bank of the River Thames and {{convert|2|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} east of the M25 motorway. Its economy is linked to Port of London industries, its own offices, retail and Lakeside, West Thurrock. Its variously used riverside (from homes through wild bird-habitat marshland to importation, storage and distribution) faces Broadness Lighthouse in Kent.<ref name="os">[http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm?mapAction=gaz&gazName=g&gazString=TQ6177 Grid square map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927195431/http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm?mapAction=gaz&gazName=g&gazString=TQ6177 |date=27 September 2013 }} Ordnance survey website</ref>
==Landmarks== <gallery> File:Thameside Centre - geograph.org.uk - 39592.jpg|Thameside Theatre File:Christmas at Grays Beach - geograph.org.uk - 299258.jpg|Grays Beach with the Tilbury Docks in the background File:The Dell after conversion.jpg|The Dell File:Thurrock Yacht Club - geograph.org.uk - 299272.jpg|Thurrock Yacht Club File:The State Nov 07.jpg|The State Cinema File:Derby Road Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 2515573.jpg|Beginning of the Derby Road Bridge </gallery>
thumb|right|A map of the town from 1946 Local sites of interest include the Thameside Theatre, the Thurrock History Museum, Grays Beach, The White Hart, and the former State Cinema.
The Dell was one of the earliest houses in Britain to be built of concrete.<ref name=wallace-website>{{cite web|url=http://wallacefund.info/2002-dell-plaque|title="The Dell" plaque|publisher=The Alfred Russel Wallace Website}}</ref> It was built on the instructions of Alfred Russel Wallace, who lived in the town from 1872 until 1876.
From the top of the Derby Road Bridge in Grays one can look down to Thurrock Yacht Club, Grays Beach children's playground and the River Thames.
As well as Thurrock Yacht Club, Grays Beach is the site of the local landmark ''The Gull'', a lightship built in 1860, which has lain on the foreshore for decades and is now in a serious state of dilapidation. The light from ''The Gull'' has now been removed, restored and installed on the foreshore of the yacht club.
The Thameside Theatre was built in 1971 and is the only theatre in Thurrock.<ref>{{Cite web|title=When the Thameside threw open its doors|url=https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/9318002.when-the-thameside-threw-open-its-doors/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Thurrock Gazette|date=20 October 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-11-25|title=Protesters show their support to save Thameside theatre complex in Grays|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-59415024|access-date=2021-12-15}}</ref> In July 2021 Thurrock Council declared it to be surplus to budget requirements and announced plans for its closure.<ref>{{Cite web|title=250 residents protest against closure of Thurrock's Thameside Theatre|url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/250-residents-attend-protest-against-closure-of-thurrocks-thameside-theatre|access-date=2021-12-15|website=The Stage}}</ref> The Labour opposition in the council opposed the plans and an online petition calling for its preservation was signed by over 1,000 residents.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Speight |first1=Neil |title=Residents back petition against closure of Thameside and its theatre |url=https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/residents-back-petition-against-closure-of-thameside-and-its-theatre |access-date=15 January 2026 |work=Thurrock Nub News |date=1 July 2021}}</ref> Grays native Russell Brand gave his support to saving the theatre on an Instagram post and pledged to perform a show there to help prevent its closure.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Willis|first=Anna|date=2021-12-12|title=Russell Brand teases potential show to help save Essex theatre|url=https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/russell-brand-teases-potential-show-6307922|access-date=2021-12-15|website=EssexLive}}</ref> In January 2022 Thurrock Council announced that they supported a counter proposal that will see the theatre remain open under community ownership.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2022-01-14|title=Thameside Theatre: Council backs community group proposal|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-59987887|access-date=2022-01-14}}</ref> A group dedicated to saving the theatre began negotiating with the council, and had to provide it with an affordable business plan for the theatre by 13 July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-08 |title=Save the Thameside Theatre group given deadline |url=https://www.yourthurrock.com/2022/04/08/save-the-thameside-theatre-group-given-deadline/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Your Thurrock}}</ref> However, after an unnamed organisation expressed interest in buying the theatre, the council has delayed the deadline to September to allow it to put forward an alternative business plan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Speight |first=Neil |date=2022-07-06 |title=Thameside Theatre campaigners halted in their tracks as a new mystery bidder comes to town |url=https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/thameside-theatre-campaigners-halted-in-their-tracks-as-a-new-mystery-bidder-comes-to-town-140700 |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=Thurrock Nub News}}</ref>
==Governance== [[File:Thurrock Civic Offices 2022 wing.jpg|thumb|Thurrock Town Hall, New Road, Grays]] There is one tier of local government covering Grays, at unitary authority level: Thurrock Council. The council is based at Thurrock Town Hall and the adjoining Civic Offices on New Road in Grays.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact us |url=https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/contact |publisher=Thurrock Council |access-date=16 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Council offices named Thurrock Town Hall |url=https://www.yourthurrock.com/2022/10/18/council-offices-named-thurrock-town-hall/ |access-date=16 January 2026 |work=Your Thurrock |date=18 October 2022}}</ref>
===Administrative history=== Grays Thurrock was an ancient parish in the Chafford Hundred of Essex. In 1886, the parish was made a local government district, administered by an elected local board. Such districts were reconstituted as urban districts under the Local Government Act 1894.<ref name=VCH/><ref>{{cite book |title=Kelly's Directory of Essex |date=1914 |page=252 |url=https://leicester.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/60842/rec/2 |access-date=16 January 2026}}</ref>
The urban district and civil parish of Grays Thurrock was abolished in 1936, when the area was merged with Purfleet Urban District, Tilbury Urban District, and Orsett Rural District to become Thurrock Urban District.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10247615|title=Relationships and changes Grays Thurrock AP/CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=24 December 2021}}</ref> At the 1931 census (the last before the abolition of the urban district and civil parish), Grays Thurrock had a population of 18,173.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10247615/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population statistics Grays Thurrock AP/CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=1 July 2023}}</ref>
Thurrock Urban District was reformed to become a non-metropolitan district with borough status called Thurrock in 1974.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="hans74">{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1974/mar/28/district-councils-and-boroughs#S5CV0871P0_19740328_CWA_145|title=District Councils and Boroughs|date=28 March 1974|work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)|access-date=9 June 2023}}</ref> Thurrock Borough Council became a unitary authority in 1998, taking over county-level services in the borough which until then had been provided by Essex County Council.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Essex (Boroughs of Colchester, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock and District of Tendring) (Structural, Boundary and Electoral Changes) Order 1996|year=1996|number=1875|access-date=9 June 2023}}</ref> Thurrock remains part of the ceremonial county of Essex for the purposes of lieutenancy.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Lieutenancies Act 1997|year=1997|chapter=23|accessdate=26 April 2023}}</ref>
==Education== {{See also|List of schools in Thurrock}}
=== Primary education === Primary schools in Grays include:
* Quarry Hill Academy (formerly Quarry Hill Primary and Pre School)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Quarry Hill Primary and Pre School – GOV.UK|url=https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/114854|access-date=2022-02-12|website=get-information-schools.service.gov.uk}}</ref> * West Thurrock Academy (formerly West Thurrock Primary School)<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Education {{!}} League Tables {{!}} Performance results for West Thurrock Primary School|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/education/08/school_tables/primary_schools/html/883_2592.stm|access-date=2021-11-14|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> * Belmont Castle Academy (formerly Stifford Primary School)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Belmont Castle Academy – GOV.UK|url=https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/139105#school-dashboard|access-date=2022-02-12|website=get-information-schools.service.gov.uk}}</ref> * Woodside Academy (formerly Woodside Primary School)<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Education {{!}} League Tables {{!}} Performance results for Woodside Primary School|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/education/08/school_tables/primary_schools/html/883_2472.stm|access-date=2021-11-14|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> * Warren Primary School<ref>{{Cite web|title=Warren Primary School – GOV.UK|url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/148172/warren-primary-school/primary|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Find and compare schools in England}}</ref> * Thameside Primary School<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thameside Primary School – GOV.UK|url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/138581#school-dashboard|access-date=2022-02-12|website=get-information-schools.service.gov.uk}}</ref> * Deneholm Primary School<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Education {{!}} League Tables {{!}} Performance results for Deneholm Primary School|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/education/08/school_tables/primary_schools/html/883_2462.stm|access-date=2021-11-14|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> * St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Education {{!}} League Tables {{!}} Performance results for St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/education/08/school_tables/primary_schools/html/883_3603.stm|access-date=2021-11-14|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> * The Light Christian School * Gateway Primary Free School{{Efn|Gateway Primary Free School and Gateway Academy are located between the two communities that they serve, Chadwell St Mary and Tilbury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/1985547|title=Gateway Academy 2011 Ofsted Report|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Ofsted}}</ref> The schools' official addresses, however, are in Grays.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/138334|title=The Gateway Primary Free School|access-date=2022-02-15|website=get-information-schools.service.gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/133114|title=The Gateway Academy|access-date=2022-02-15|website=get-information-schools.service.gov.uk}}</ref>|group=note}}
Quarry Hill Primary and Pre School and Thameside Primary School were formed from the amalgamations of failing infant and junior schools.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-03-16|title=Quarry Hill Ofsted-Working hard to tackle fresh challenges|url=https://www.yourthurrock.com/2012/03/16/quarry-hill-ofsted-working-hard-to-tackle-fresh-challenges/|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Your Thurrock}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Council to consult on Thameside junior and infants becoming one school|url=https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/8344744.council-to-consult-on-thameside-junior-and-infants-becoming-one-school/|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Thurrock Gazette|date=22 August 2010 }}</ref> Since then, both schools have received favourable grades from education watchdog Ofsted.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-08|title=Quarry Hill Academy|url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/139576|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Ofsted}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-01|title=Thameside Primary School|url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/138581|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Ofsted}}</ref> Belmont Castle Academy was renamed in honour of Belmont Castle, a demolished gothic mansion that was located on the school site.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Banquet as academy celebrates|url=https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/10209286.banquet-as-academy-celebrates/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Thurrock Gazette|date=6 February 2013 }}</ref> The Gateway Primary Free School is situated on the site of Gateway Academy,<ref>{{Cite web|title=New school building is on course|url=https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/10495252.new-school-building-is-on-course/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Thurrock Gazette|date=21 June 2013 }}</ref> and is the only primary school with free school status in Grays.
A Christian private school, The Light Christian School, opened in Grays in 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 April 2025 |title=New independent Christian school is launched in Grays |url=https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/new-independent-christian-school-is-launched-in-grays-256482 |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=Thurrock Nub News}}</ref>
=== Secondary education === Secondary schools in Grays include:
* Hathaway Academy (formerly the Grays School Media Arts College)<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Education {{!}} League Tables {{!}} Performance results for The Grays School Media Arts College|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/education/08/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/883_5437.stm|access-date=2021-11-14|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> * Gateway Academy (formerly the Gateway Community College) * Grays Convent High School (formerly the Convent Day School)<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Education {{!}} League Tables {{!}} Performance results for Grays Convent High School|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/education/08/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/883_4733.stm|access-date=2021-11-14|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> * William Edwards School (formerly William Edwards School and Sports College)<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Education {{!}} League Tables {{!}} Performance results for William Edwards School and Sports College|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/08/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/883_5438.stm|access-date=2021-11-14|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> * Thames Park Secondary School<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thames Park Secondary School {{!}} Secondary schools {{!}} Thurrock Council|url=https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/secondary-schools/thames-park-secondary-school|access-date=2021-12-29|website=thurrock.gov.uk}}</ref> * Orsett Heath Academy<ref>{{Cite web|title=Orsett Heath Academy {{!}} Secondary schools {{!}} Thurrock Council|url=https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/secondary-schools/orsett-heath-academy|access-date=2021-11-14|website=thurrock.gov.uk}}</ref>
Since 2007, all of these schools have had specialist school status.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Alexandra |date=2007-02-01 |title=Specialist schools in England now total 84% of all schools, new figures show |url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/2007/feb/01/schools.uk1 |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=The Guardian|location=London}}</ref> Gateway Academy and Hathaway Academy have specialisms in the arts. In the case of Hathaway Academy, these include digital media and the performing arts.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=Gateway Academy 2011 Ofsted Report|url=https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/1985547}}</ref><ref name="web.archive.org">{{Cite web|date=2015-03-19|title=The Hathaway Academy – Academy Transformation Trust|url=http://hathawayacademy.attrust.org.uk/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319201907/http://hathawayacademy.attrust.org.uk/|archive-date=19 March 2015|access-date=2022-02-12}}</ref> Gateway Academy also specialises in design and engineering.<ref name=":22" /> William Edwards School and Orsett Heath Academy share a sports specialism,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thurrock Council Cabinet Meeting 13 June 2018|url=https://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/documents/g5362/Printed%20minutes%2013th-Jun-2018%2019.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=1|access-date=2022-02-12|website=democracy.thurrock.gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.orsettheathacademy.org.uk/about-us/|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Orsett Heath}}</ref> with both schools utilising the ability to admit 10% of their intake by academic aptitude in this subject,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Admissions & Appeals – William Edwards|url=https://williamedwards.org.uk/parents/admissions-appeals/|access-date=2022-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Admissions and Appeals – Orsett Heath|url=https://www.orsettheathacademy.org.uk/admissions-and-appeals/|access-date=2022-02-12}}</ref> an ability granted to all sport specialist schools.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2003-07-11|title=Specialist schools' selection 'illegal'|publisher=BBC News|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3059847.stm|access-date=2022-02-12}}</ref> Grays Convent High School maintains a language specialism<ref>{{Cite web|title=Educational Visits|url=https://www.graysconvent.school/educational-visits|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Grays Convent High School}}</ref> and Thames Park Secondary School has specialisms in artificial intelligence and digital technology.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thames Park Approved – Thames Park|url=https://www.thamespark.org.uk/834/thames-park-approved|access-date=2022-02-12|website=thamespark.org.uk}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Welcome from the Head – Thames Park|url=https://www.thamespark.org.uk/691/welcome-from-the-head|access-date=2022-02-12|website=thamespark.org.uk}}</ref>
Gateway Academy was formed in 2003 from a fresh start merger of Torells School in Grays and St Chad's School in Tilbury.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|title=Torells School – GOV.UK|url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/115325|access-date=2021-11-28|website=get-information-schools.service.gov.uk}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web|title=St Chad's School – GOV.UK|url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/115215|access-date=2021-11-28|website=get-information-schools.service.gov.uk}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=The Gateway Community College – GOV.UK|url=https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/134112|access-date=2021-11-28|website=get-information-schools.service.gov.uk}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web|title=Call for more secondary school places in Tilbury|url=https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/8294353.call-for-more-secondary-school-places-in-tilbury/|access-date=2021-11-28|website=Thurrock Gazette|date=27 July 2010 }}</ref> The Torells School site has since been demolished and replaced by the sites of two special schools, Treetops School and Treetops Free School.<ref>{{Cite web|last=O'Neill|first=Lottie|date=2018-06-29|title=Three new schools to open in South Essex to battle 30,000 population rise|url=https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/three-new-schools-open-thurrock-1694414|access-date=2022-02-12|website=EssexLive}}</ref> Comedian Joe Pasquale and Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread both attended Torells School.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Read|first=Julian|date=2016-05-09|title=Joe Pasquale: Essex boy at heart|url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/joe-pasquale-essex-boy-at-heart-6986078|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Great British Life}}</ref><ref name="Whitbread 152">{{Cite book|last=Whitbread|first=Fatima|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4YUsf9G1swEC&dq=torells+school+fatima+whitbread&pg=PA152|title=Survivor: The Shocking and Inspiring Story of a True Champion|date=2012-07-05|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-1-4481-3225-6|pages=152}}</ref> Footballers Chris Cohen and Max Porter went to William Edwards School.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2018-05-02 |title=Chris Cohen retires from football at the age of 31 |url=https://www.yourthurrock.com/2018/05/02/chris-cohen-retires-football-age-31/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=Your Thurrock}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Successful Thurrock District Old Boys |url=https://sites.google.com/a/thesixthformvle.co.uk/thurrock-secondary-schools-football/successful-thurrock-district-old-boys |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=thesixthformvle.co.uk}}</ref> Actor, YouTuber and comedian Russell Brand attended the Grays School, making his acting debut at one of the school's Bugsy Malone productions.<ref>Brand, Russell, "''My Booky Wook''", Hodder & Stoughton, 2007</ref> Grays Convent High School was attended by journalist and former Thurrock MP candidate Polly Billington and runner Jessica Judd.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2014-07-08|title=Polly goes back to the Convent to encourage girls to chase "hopes and dreams".|url=https://www.yourthurrock.com/2014/07/08/polly-goes-back-to-the-convent-to-encourage-girls-to-chase-hopes-and-dreams/|access-date=2021-12-21|website=Your Thurrock}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|author=Staff Reporter|date=2017-08-05|title=Athletics: Great run by Jess Judd in World Champs|url=https://www.yourthurrock.com/2017/08/05/athletics-great-run-jess-judd-world-champs/|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Your Thurrock}}</ref>
All of these schools are coeducational academies or free schools, with the exception of Grays Convent High School, which is instead a voluntary aided Catholic school for girls.
=== Further education === A sixth form was operated by Gateway Academy before 2014, but it closed that year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gateway Academy Sixth Form to close|url=https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/11183382.gateway-academy-sixth-form-to-close/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Thurrock Gazette|date=30 April 2014 }}</ref> In 2011, Ofsted deemed the sixth form as satisfactory, which meant it required improvement. This was primarily because of concerns over the number of students dropping out, which was above average.<ref name=":22" /> Hathaway Academy intended to open a sixth form some time before the 2014/2015 academic year,<ref>{{Cite web|title=PROSPECTUS|url=http://hathawayacademy.attrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/HA-Prospectus.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531213438/http://hathawayacademy.attrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/HA-Prospectus.pdf|archive-date=2014-05-31|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Hathaway Academy}}</ref> but this never came to fruition.
Thurrock Technical College opened in 1952 on Dell Road. Between 1954 and 1957 the college was based in parts of the site of Grays County Technical High School (which would become Grays School) and Grays Hall. In 1960 it reopened on Woodview Road, later establishing a second campus in Aveley.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Parishes: Grays Thurrock {{!}} British History Online|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol8/pp35-56#p127|access-date=2022-02-13|website=british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> The college later merged with Basildon College to form Thurrock and Basildon College, with the Woodview Campus remaining in operation. The college then amalgamated with South East Essex College of Arts and Technology in 2010, forming South Essex College.<ref>[http://www.southessex.ac.uk/about/index.aspx Welcome to the College] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20100108163256/http://www.southessex.ac.uk/about/index.aspx|date=2010-01-08}}, South Essex College, UK.</ref> The Thurrock Campus relocated from Woodview Road to a new complex in Grays town centre in September 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gibberd design South Essex College's new campus in Thurrock|url=https://www.gibberd.com/projects/south-essex-college--thurrock-campus|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Gibberd – Architecture, Interiors, Conservation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=South Essex College – History of South Essex College|url=https://www.southessex.ac.uk/the-college/history-of-south-essex-college|access-date=2021-11-14|website=southessex.ac.uk}}</ref>
The local sixth form college is USP College Palmer's Campus.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our Campus – Palmer's|url=https://www.uspcollege.ac.uk/life-at-college/our-campus-palmers/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=uspcollege.ac.uk}}</ref> Palmer's dates back to 1706, when the merchant William Palmer founded a charity school for "ten poore children" of the parish of Grays Essex. The school was located in the local churchyard and evolved into a boys' school. In response to the enactment of the Elementary Education Act 1870, the school reopened on a new site on the hill above the town in 1874. A girls' school opened on the site in 1876.<ref>Herbert Brooks, ''William Palmer and his School. Being an account of the founder of Palmer's Charity at Grays Thurrock, Essex'' (Colchester, 1928).</ref> Both schools were grammar schools,<ref>Lord Strang, 'Fifty Years Ago', in J. R. Hayston (ed.), ''250 Years on. To commemorate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the trust deed by which William Palmer endowed in 1706 a school in Grays Thurrock'' (1956), p. 59. See also Strang's autobiography, ''Home and abroad'' (1956)</ref> operating on the same site until 1931, when the girls' school relocated to Chadwell Road.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Down Memory Lane: take a look back at Palmers school|url=https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/16044164.memory-lane-take-look-back-palmers-school/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Thurrock Gazette|date=25 February 2018 }}</ref> From this time, Palmer's became a public school. This meant that students were no longer admitted on academic performance regardless of background and were instead admitted by fee. This was reversed in 1944, however wealthier students were still prioritised, even if they failed the 11+ exam required for enrolment. In 1971 the girls' school began its conversion into a sixth form college,<ref>{{Cite web|title=William Palmer College Educational Trust|url=https://www.uspcollege.ac.uk/about-us/our-history/william-palmer-college-educational-trust/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=uspcollege.ac.uk}}</ref> reopening as Palmer's College in 1972 after it amalgamated with the boys' school and Aveley County Technical High School. The college merged with Seevic College in August 2017, forming USP College.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our History|url=https://www.uspcollege.ac.uk/about-us/our-history/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=uspcollege.ac.uk}}</ref>
There is also Thurrock Adult Community College which is located in multiple venues and community hubs across Thurrock and used to be based from Richmond Road in Grays.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thurrock Adult Community College relocates bringing new education opportunities to residents {{!}} Thurrock Council|url=https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/news/thurrock-adult-community-college/thurrock-adult-community-college-relocates-bringing-new|access-date=2021-11-14|website=thurrock.gov.uk}}</ref>
==Transport== Grays has good road links, being close to the A13 road and the M25 motorway. The A126 ''London Road'' is the main road which links Grays town centre with Lakeside Shopping Centre, Purfleet and Tilbury.
Grays railway station runs through the centre of the built-up core and is served by c2c services to London Fenchurch Street to the west and Shoeburyness to the east. The typical journey time into London is 35 minutes.
Grays bus station, outside the railway station, is a hub for most bus services in Thurrock. The bus services are operated by Ensignbus, First Essex and NIBS Buses.
==Media== The town is served by BBC London and ITV London with television signals received from Crystal Palace TV transmitter,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Crystal_Palace|title=Full Freeview on the Crystal Palace (Greater London, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=4 January 2024}}</ref> BBC South East and ITV Meridian can also be received from Bluebell Hill TV transmitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Bluebell_Hill|title=Full Freeview on the Bluebell Hill (Medway, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=4 January 2024}}</ref>
Local radio stations are BBC Essex, Heart East, Radio Essex, Gateway 97.8,<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.gateway978.com/|title=Gateway 97.8 |access-date=4 January 2024}}</ref> and Thames Delta Radio, a community based radio station.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thamesdeltaradio.com/|title=Thames Delta Radio |access-date=4 January 2024}}</ref>
The ''Thurrock Gazette'' is the town's local weekly newspaper.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-eang/thurrock-gazette/|title=Thurrock Gazette|date=11 November 2013|website=British Papers|accessdate=4 January 2024}}</ref>
==Sports== The area's local football team is Grays Athletic, previously based in Grays but now in nearby Tilbury, which plays non-League football and has won the FA Trophy twice.<ref name=FCHD>{{fchd|id=GRAYSA|name=Grays Athletic}}</ref>
==Notable people==
=== Actors and authors ===
* Ian Abercrombie, actor and comedian.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Mike |date=2012-01-27 |title=Ian Abercrombie, Elaine's Boss on 'Seinfeld,' Dies at 77 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/ian-abercrombie-dies-seinfeld-elaine-boss-285386/ |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> * Joe Pasquale, comedian, actor and television presenter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Read |first=Julian |date=2016-05-09 |title=Joe Pasquale: Essex boy at heart |url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/joe-pasquale-essex-boy-at-heart-6986078 |access-date=2021-11-28 |website=Great British Life}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Joe Pasquale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/content/articles/2006/06/06/joe_pasquale_pat_marsh_feature.shtml |access-date=2021-10-25 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> * Michelle Harrison, author.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michelle Harrison » About me |url=https://www.michelleharrisonbooks.com/about-me/ |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=michelleharrisonbooks.com}}</ref> * Phil Davis, actor, author, director and narrator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phil Davis |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0205289/ |access-date=2021-11-09 |publisher=IMDb}}</ref> * Russell Brand, comedian and presenter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 2007 |title=Russell Brand: Grays bad boy made good talks about his life, times and new 'Booky Wook' |url=https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/1839736.russell-brand-grays-bad-boy-made-good-talks-about-his-life-times-and-new-booky-wook/ |access-date=8 February 2019 |website=Thurrock Gazette}}</ref>
=== Athletes === *Adam Newton, retired footballer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adam Newton Stats |url=https://fbref.com/en/players/4718c54c/Adam-Newton |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=FBref.com}}</ref> *Charlie Whitchurch, retired footballer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charlie Whitchurch |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/charlie-whitchurch-29703/ |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=11v11.com}}</ref> *Chris Cohen, retired footballer and coach.<ref name=":2" /> *Elton Prince, professional wrestler. *Fatima Whitbread, retired Olympic medallist javelin thrower.<ref name="Whitbread 152" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fatima Whitbread re-opens Co-operative after £460,000 revamp |url=https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/news/11667128.fatima-whitbread-re-opens-grays-co-operative-after-460000-revamp/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=Thurrock Gazette|date=15 December 2014 }}</ref> *Jessica Judd, runner.<ref name=":5" /> *Max Porter, retired footballer and coach.<ref name=":3" /> *Stuart Barnes, retired rugby union footballer and commentator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stuart Barnes |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/england/rugby/player/9658.html |access-date=2021-10-25 |publisher=ESPNscrum}}</ref> *William Kennedy, retired footballer and soldier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=William Kennedy : West Ham United |url=https://spartacus-educational.com/WHkennedyW.htm |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=Spartacus Educational}}</ref>
=== Politicians and nobility === *Frederick Marshall, Australian Labor politician.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MP Biographical Register |url=https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/library/MPHistoricalData.nsf/(Lookup)/1D87BE06FFC4C407482577E50028A6E3?OpenDocument |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=parliament.wa.gov.au}}</ref> *Polly Billington, Labour politician and journalist.<ref name=":4" /> *Sir Henry de Grey, courtier of John, King of England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FamilySearch.org |url=https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LV5Q-4CV/sir-henry-de-grey-1155-1219 |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=ancestors.familysearch.org}}</ref> *Sir John de Grey, soldier and high sheriff.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FamilySearch.org |url=https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/MHCC-ZNJ/sir-john-de-grey-1202-1266 |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=ancestors.familysearch.org}}</ref>
=== Singers === *Louisa Johnson, singer and X Factor series 12 winner.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Louisa Johnson – The Vogue |url=https://thevogue.com/artists/louisa-johnson/ |access-date=2021-06-03}}</ref> *Sara Flower, contralto singer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australharmony – Sara Flower |url=https://www.sydney.edu.au/paradisec/australharmony/flower-sara.php |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=sydney.edu.au}}</ref>
=== Other === *Alfred Russel Wallace, discovered evolution through natural selection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alfred Russel Wallace and 'The Dell', Grays {{!}} Thurrock historical people {{!}} Thurrock Council |url=https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/thurrock-historical-people/alfred-russel-wallace-and-dell-grays |access-date=2021-10-25 |website=thurrock.gov.uk}}</ref> *Elisabeth Vellacott, painter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elisabeth Vellacott: a quiet but insistent voice {{!}} Art UK |url=https://artuk.org/discover/stories/elisabeth-vellacott-a-quiet-but-insistent-voice |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=artuk.org}}</ref> *Lewis Daynes, murderer of Breck Bednar.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-02-18 |title=Murder victim Breck Bednar's family 'taunted online'|publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-47283872 |access-date=2021-10-25}}</ref> *Philip Vellacott, scholar.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
== Notes == {{reflist|group=note}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== *Evans, Brian. ''Grays [https://thurrocktaxicab.co.uk/ Thurrock], A History'', Phillimore, 2004, {{ISBN|1-86077-305-2}}.
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20130927202011/http://www.bygonegraysthurrock.co.uk/ Bygone Grays Thurrock – Local history website] {{Essex}} {{Thurrock parishes}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Grays, Essex Category:Towns in Essex Category:Populated places on the River Thames Category:Port of London Category:Beaches of Essex Category:Thurrock