Priory School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 November 2023

Pupils enjoy a broad, interesting, and engaging curriculum, which is demonstrative of the school's aim to be 'inclusive and creative'. The school is ambitious, and staff strive to deliver high quality education for all. Most pupils achieve well, and the majority go on to successful further education, employment or training. Pupils in the specially resourced provisions for those with complex special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive excellent support from well-trained staff. Pupils feel safe. They are confident they can share concerns with an adult, and about how any worries are dealt with by staff. They understand and respect each other's differences and are accepting of different beliefs. Most pupils behave well and follow clear school rules. Learning is rarely disrupted. However, a small number of pupils do not behave as well as they should. Pupils have many opportunities to develop their talents and interests. They take part in a wide range of extra-curricular clubs. Many pupils also take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. Pupils can contribute to the life of the school by taking on responsibilities like being anti-bullying ambassadors or sitting on the student council.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, assessment information is not used well enough to adapt future teaching. This means that some pupils struggle to remember what they have learned. The school should ensure that assessment information is used consistently well to influence and direct future learning activities, so that pupils retain and develop their knowledge across the curriculum more successfully over time.
• In a few subjects, the work provided to pupils with SEND is sometimes not sufficiently adapted to enable them to access the full curriculum. When this is the case, these pupils do not learn important knowledge and skills. The school should ensure that teaching is adapted successfully so that pupils with SEND have their needs met consistently well across the curriculum.
• The behaviour and attitudes of a small number of pupils do not meet the school's high expectations. As a result, there is a minority of pupils who are sometimes defiant and anti-social in the corridors. The school should ensure that its ongoing work to raise standards successfully addresses truancy and unwanted behaviours exhibited by these pupils.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)