It was originally a separate settlement, but housing and other developments in the 20th century have resulted in a continuous built up area with Grays, of which Little Thurrock is now a part.

The higher, northern area is part of a 100 feet (30 m) terrace extending for some miles east and west – a rich source of both gravel and chalk deposits which have been extracted for centuries.

[7] The gravel workings include the Globe Pit which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the location of many archaeological finds from the Clactonian period.

Around Hangman's Wood and Terrel's Heath, there is little trace of the heathland habitat and associated fauna which would once have been characteristic of the area but the adjacent woodland together with the pond and wild life garden in Woodside Primary School attract a number of creatures.

Torrel's School was closed and later re-opened and is now known as The Gateway Academy, with a new site on Marshfoot Road in Chadwell St Mary.

Projects have included Chance to Dance with the Royal Ballet, Shakespeare Schools Festival, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra workshops, the creation of a totem pole with stoneware faces with Hazle Ceramics, The National Gallery Take one Picture projects, Batik wall hangings with textile artist Louise Knight and the construction of a living willow dome.

These include Investors in People,[citation needed] the Arts Mark Gold,[15] Ormiston Education's Every Child Matters Quality Mark Gold,[16] Quality in Study Support, the Financial Management Standard in Schools, Healthy Schools, The Active Mark and its local replacement, Thurrock Gold award, the Sustrans Bike It award and two Department for Education and Skills School Achievement Awards.