The development of the Rivergate community was first conceived approximately 20 years ago as part of a plan to develop the Thames Gateway to the East of London along the North bank of the Thames. This has been one of the biggest development projects in Europe. Opened in September 2011, the school, along with the Rivergate Centre, was the first community building completed within the new development.

The school is named after George Carey, a former Archbishop of Canterbury, who was born and raised in Dagenham. Lord and Lady Carey formally opened the school on 27th March 2012.

George Carey School was set up as a Voluntary Aided school within the Diocese of Chelmsford under the umbrella of the Church of England. The school was designed and conceived as a community facility which could work in partnership with the Rivergate Centre.

The school was first open to pupils on 12th September 2011 with approximately 250 pupils on roll and a staff of 35. Since then we have grown to over 700 pupils with a staff of over 100, and we are still growing.