Priory Roman Catholic Primary School, Torquay
St Catherine's Road, St Marychurch, Torquay, TQ1 4NZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Priory Roman Catholic Primary School, Torquay is a primary school in Torquay for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 45 schools in Torbay. It ranks 15th of 17 primary schools in Torquay. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 28 September 2022, report published 17 November 2022
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 28 September 2022
Priory is a happy and welcoming school. Pupils describe how values such as kindness and integrity run through daily life. This can be seen in the warm interactions between staff and pupils, as well as the vibrant learning environment. As a result of this, pupils feel safe and enjoy school. One parent's comment that captures the opinion of many was, 'Children are at the heart of all decisions. The school is like a family.' Leaders have high expectations of all pupils. They rise to this challenge and understand the importance of the 'Big Three: Be ready, be respectful, and be safe'. Pupils are clear about what bullying is, but are confident it does not happen. They say that adults would resolve any problems swiftly. Pupils show positive attitudes towards their learning. They are keen to gain new knowledge. Children in the early years quickly learn the expected routines. This helps them to make a confident and positive start to school life. Pupils benefit from extensive outdoor space. This includes an adventure playground and an area for animal care, where pupils learn how to look after rabbits and chickens. When using these areas, pupils are respectful and patient to wait their turn. There is a calm environment. Pupils are friendly and courteous to each other and towards staff.
What the school should improve
- There are a small number of pupils who are persistently absent from school. This means they are missing vital parts of their education. Leaders should continue to work with families and external agencies to ensure rapid improvement in the attendance of such pupils.
- There are some inconsistencies in how pupils at the early stages of reading learn their phonic sounds and use these to read words accurately. This leads to some pupils developing misconceptions about how to say an individual sound or reverting to guessing when blending a word. Leaders should create opportunities for staff to share best practice in the delivery of phonics to ensure the quality is consistently high.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
18 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
107 pupils on roll, with places for 178
Schools near Priory Roman Catholic Primary School, Torquay
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Margaret's Academy | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | 54% met the expected standard |
| St Marychurch Church of England Primary and Nursery School | 0.2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 53% met the expected standard |
| Homelands Primary School | 0.2 miles | Report card: Expected standard | 57% met the expected standard |
| Abbey School | 0.2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Upton St James CofE Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 36% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- PLYMOUTH CAST
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Hannah Maskell
- Phone
- 01803328480
- Address
- St Catherine's Road, St Marychurch, Torquay, TQ1 4NZ
- Local authority
- Torbay
- URN
- 140743
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.