The Gateway Academy
Part of Gateway Learning Community
Updated July 2026
The Gateway Learning Community is a partnership of schools based in Tilbury and Chadwell St. Mary, Essex, dedicated to providing an outstanding education for every young person in the community.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
The Gateway Learning Community operates under the mantra, "All Different: All Equal, Together, Improving Upon Our Best." The trust is committed to providing an outstanding education and fostering a diverse, fair, and equal community where students are encouraged to become active and thriving citizens.
Programmes
The trust offers a comprehensive curriculum across its primary and secondary academies, with a focus on evidence-informed and research-based teaching approaches. Primary and secondary teaching and learning strategies are supported by subject specialists in areas including English, Mathematics, Spanish, Music, Physical Education, and Special Educational Needs.
Student support
Learning support
The trust is committed to inclusion and provides dedicated support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Each academy has a designated mental health and wellbeing lead, and the trust employs trained mental health first aiders to support the emotional and mental wellbeing of both students and staff.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
The Gateway Learning Community manages admissions for its five academies: Gateway Secondary Academy, Gateway Primary Free School, Herringham Primary Academy, Lansdowne Primary Academy, and Tilbury Pioneer Academy. Admissions policies for 2026 are available on the trust's website, and prospective families are encouraged to attend open days to learn more about the individual schools.
Calendar
The trust provides a structured academic calendar to assist students, parents, and educators in planning the school year. Detailed term dates for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years are available for download as PDF files on the trust's website.
About the campus
The Gateway Learning Community operates a group of schools located in and around Chadwell-St-Mary and Tilbury, Essex. The trust's facilities are available for public hire, with booking and detailed information managed through an online portal.
Co-curriculars
The trust maintains a policy of quality first teaching, which does not require teachers to lead after-school clubs or booster sessions at the primary level. Staff are encouraged to provide feedback on enrichment activities that support their own wellbeing.
- Viki ReidCEO
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Gateway Learning Community, Viki Reid serves as an ex officio member of the Board of Directors.
- J JonesFinance Director
J Jones is the Finance Director for the Gateway Learning Community. They have progressed through the organization, starting as a Junior Finance Assistant and rising to a leadership position.
- Catherine BignellLeader / Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead
Catherine Bignell is a leader within the Trust who serves as a Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead for Tilbury Pioneer Academy. They have experience as a deputy head and have completed instructional coaching training.
- Trudi BryantMember of the academy leadership team / Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead
Trudi Bryant is a member of the academy leadership team and serves as a Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead for Gateway Academy. They are also a trained Mental Health First Aider.
- Natalie CarrollMember of the academy leadership team / Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead
Natalie Carroll is a member of the academy leadership team and serves as a Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead for Gateway Primary Free School.
- Zoe SinghMember of the academy leadership team / Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead
Zoe Singh is a member of the academy leadership team and serves as a Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead for Herringham Primary Academy.
- Anna SparrowMember of the academy leadership team / Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead
Anna Sparrow is a member of the academy leadership team and serves as a Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead for Lansdowne Primary Academy. They are also a trained Mental Health First Aider.