THURROCK Councillor Amanda Wilton questioned why Ormiston Park Academy was 50% empty.

At a meeting of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Aveley councillor and Vice-Chair of the committee pointed to the fact that 48% of places in the school had yet to be allocated.

Head of Business (Policy, Performance and Resources) Colin Stewart said: “You would have found a similar statistic for the Gateway Academy before it opened on the new site.

“Once the school went to it’s location on Marshfoot Road then there was an incredible spike in applications. We are confident that the same will occur at Ormiston.”

The agenda item revealed which schools were over-subscribed and which were under-subscribed.

Reception Level: Under-Subscribed

Arthur Bugler, Stanford-le-Hope and Thameside were at 27% capacity
Tilbury Manor: 19%
East Tilbury: 18%

Reception Level: Over-Subscribed

Warren Primary, Corringham Primary, Woodside Primary, Dilkes Primary, Somers Heath Primary, Tudor Court Primary, Little Thurrock Primary, Bulphan Primary

Over-Subscribed Secondaries

Number on Waiting List

Gateway Academy: 94
Chafford Hundred: 76
William Edwards: 72
Gable Hall: 64