The Priory Pembroke Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 June 2026

Pupils feel a strong sense of belonging at Pembroke Priory Academy. They describe the school as safe, welcoming and highly inclusive. Pupils value the way staff know them exceptionally well and the dedicated care they receive. They explain that this support makes a significant difference to their lives. Pupils typically behave well in lessons and around the school. Staff provide specialist, highly effective support for pupils who need help to regulate their behaviour, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils report that they do not worry about bullying, discrimination or harassment. They have many staff to turn to if they have concerns and trust that their teachers will resolve issues swiftly and effectively. Pupils appreciate the school’s reward systems, and many spoke enthusiastically about the highlight of their week: 'chicken-burger Thursdays'. Overall, pupils achieve well. Disadvantaged pupils achieve much better than other disadvantaged pupils do nationally. Pupils enjoy their learning and are ambitious for their next steps in education, employment or training. Staff are extremely well informed about all pupils' barriers to learning and starting points. The curriculum is scrupulously crafted to meet pupils' needs and is generally well taught. Pupils speak with great enthusiasm about the wider opportunities the school provides. Great care is taken to ensure that all pupils, and particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, can access opportunities that they may not otherwise have. Pupils take part in many sporting activities, music and the arts. They are involved in various trips, including those that enrich their understanding of different faiths and cultures. Pupils, including pupils with SEND, make a positive contribution to the wider community and to the school, raising additional funds for the prom, developing the food offer at break times and working with an artist to produce the magnificent mural at the heart of the school. Warm, nurturing relationships between staff and pupils help many pupils to thrive and achieve well.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that they embed highly effective teaching and assessment across the school so that all groups of pupils make positive and sustained progress across the curriculum and achieve consistently well.
• Leaders should continue their highly effective work to further improve pupils’ attendance, and continue to ensure that pupils behave consistently well and show self-discipline and dedication to their learning.

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