Priory School
Lewes, BN7 2XN · East Sussex · secondary school
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6th of 24 secondary schools in East Sussex we can score, 26 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 7.6/10 against 874 of them, against 7.3/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 52.8 · 68 | 30% | 2.06 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.48 · 83 | 25% | 2.07 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.7 · 64 | 10% | 0.64 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Priory School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2024. In 2024/25, 52.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.48 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (7.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in an Eastbourne water sports trip, attend the Spring Concert 2026, and see the production Bleak Expectations.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,153 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,160. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the curriculum support pupils to maintain the +0.48 Progress 8 score across all subjects? What specific support is available for students aiming to exceed the national median Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Priory School
Overview
Priory School continues to be a good school, offering a "broad, interesting, and engaging curriculum" that reflects its aim to be "inclusive and creative." Most pupils achieve well and proceed to successful further education or employment, supported by staff who strive to deliver high-quality education for all.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well planned," with content carefully chosen and "sequenced logically" to ensure pupils build knowledge over time.
- Teachers use "strong subject knowledge" effectively, presenting new learning clearly and using questioning to check retention.
- Pupils in specialist provisions for complex special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive "excellent support from well-trained staff."
- Pupils feel safe, are confident in sharing concerns, and "understand and respect each other’s differences."
- There are many opportunities for pupils to develop talents through extra-curricular clubs and roles such as "anti-bullying ambassadors."
Areas to improve
- Assessment information is not always used well enough to adapt future teaching, leading to some pupils struggling to retain knowledge.
- Teaching for pupils with SEND is not consistently adapted across the whole school, meaning some do not access the full curriculum.
- A small number of pupils exhibit "defiant and anti-social" behaviour and truancy, requiring ongoing work to address these issues.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 53.3 |
| 2024/25 | 46.4 |
| 2025/26 | 48.7 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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