The Priory School

The Priory School is a caring, inclusive secondary school where pupils feel safe and behaviour is calm and purposeful. Safeguarding standards are met, bullying is rare and dealt with quickly, and pupils benefit from a broad personal development programme with extensive enrichment and leadership opportunities. Careers provision and sixth-form provision are notable strengths, with students achieving well and moving on to appropriate next steps. Most core areas are secure. The curriculum is well constructed, pupils are attentive, and teachers generally have secure subject knowledge. Inclusion is a strength in many respects: needs are identified quickly, vulnerable pupils are well supported, and the school has an on-site specialist resource provision for autistic pupils. The school has above-average proportions of pupils with EHC plans and SEN support. The headteacher took up post a year ago and has managed change carefully; staff feel supported and governors provide effective challenge. The main areas for improvement are consistency in teaching and attendance. Some lessons do not check pupils' understanding well enough, which affects achievement in those subjects, and a minority of pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils, do not attend as well as they should. The school is aware of both issues and has begun targeted work to address them.

Strengths

• Comprehensive personal development programme rooted in responsibility, respect and resilience
• Wide range of enrichment activities with strong take-up and support to remove barriers
• Pupils hold leadership roles and contribute to the school and local community
• Broad and relevant careers programme prepares pupils well for education, employment or training
• Strong sixth-form provision with a broad curriculum and above-average academic outcomes
• Sixth-form students achieve well and are well prepared for university, apprenticeships or employment
• Pupils feel safe; bullying is rare and resolved quickly
• Calm and purposeful behaviour around school and in lessons, with high expectations
• Inclusive approach with quick identification of needs and effective support for vulnerable pupils
• On-site specialist resource provision provides high-quality small-group teaching and support
• Curriculum is well sequenced and teachers have secure subject knowledge
• Staff feel well supported by the new headteacher and governance is effective

Areas for Improvement

• Teaching quality varies; some teachers' checks do not identify gaps or errors effectively
• Achievement and results are lower in subjects where teaching is more variable
• Attendance remains a concern for some pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils
• Inclusion support is still developing to ensure precise learning support in every lesson

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

What is The Priory School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Priory School is Expected standard, from an inspection in October 2026.

When was The Priory School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Priory School was last inspected in October 2026.

How many pupils does The Priory School have?

The Priory School has 1,221 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Priory School cover?

The Priory School for pupils aged 11 to 18.

What are The Priory School's GCSE results?

In 2025 its average Attainment 8 score was 48.5, and 49% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is The Priory School?

The Priory School is at Bedford Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 2UR.