Priory School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Good

Fawcett Road, Southsea, PO4 0DLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Priory School is a secondary school in Southsea for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 65 schools in Portsmouth. It ranks 3rd of 10 secondary schools in Portsmouth. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 22 November 2022, report published 15 January 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 22 November 2022

Pupils experience a personal development curriculum which is exceptional. This includes a vast array of clubs, visits and residential trips. Leaders have thought carefully about what to offer to ensure that it enriches the lives of all pupils. These wider opportunities have been well designed by staff to tie into the work that pupils do in class. This work is challenging and reflects the high ambitions that staff have for pupils. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are well supported by the school. Leaders ensure that pupils are well known and that their needs are carefully identified and then acted upon. Leaders take effective steps to make sure that pupils are well cared for in school. Pupils have access to a new well-being suite, which supports their mental health through the work of experienced professionals. Pupils at the school feel safe and most are happy. However, some pupils are not as kind or thoughtful as they should be. Leaders are already working on changing the behaviour of these pupils. Bullying is rare and it is taken seriously when it occurs. Lessons are usually calm and focused. Pupils can concentrate on their work and achieve well.

What the school should improve

  • Some pupils use derogatory language to other pupils, or they behave unkindly towards them. This leaves some pupils feeling unhappy. Leaders need to address this culture of unkindness, so it is eradicated from the whole school
  • Pupils from more disadvantaged backgrounds are not making the progress that matches the ambitions that leaders have for them. As a result, these pupils do not achieve as highly and so have fewer opportunities in the future. Leaders need to accurately identify the barriers that these pupils face and then put in place effective mitigation, so that they can achieve in line with their peers.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

242 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score44.7

44.7, 1.4 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths43.8%

43.8%, 1.6 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths67.4%

67.4%, 2.6 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc29.8%

29.8%, 10.7 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.89

3.89, 0.2 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,278 pupils on roll, with places for 1,250

Eligible for free school meals35.2%

35.2%, 8.7 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language17.4%

17.4%, 4.2 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.2%

13.2%, 1.6 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.1%

3.1%, 2.9 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Priory School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Edmund's Catholic School0.5 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 58.9
Ark Charter Academy0.5 milesOfsted judgements: GoodAttainment 8: 38.9
The Portsmouth Academy0.6 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 33.5
Madani Academy0.7 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Miltoncross Academy0.8 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to goodAttainment 8: 36.3

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
BOHUNT EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mr Stewart Vaughan
Address
Fawcett Road, Southsea, PO4 0DL
Local authority
Portsmouth
URN
141175

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.