Priory School

Overview

Priory School is a special school where pupils enjoy attending and feel happy, supported by core values of respect and ambition. The inspection found that leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum tailored to diverse needs, resulting in high attendance and positive relationships. While overall effectiveness is rated as Good, the school excels in behaviour and attitudes, which are rated as Outstanding.

Strengths

• Behaviour is described as "a real strength," with pupils supporting each other kindly and maintaining "purposeful classrooms."
• Leaders "sensitively devise and adapt appropriate curriculum pathways" that meet specific needs and prepare pupils for adult life.
• Attendance is high, achieved through effective partnerships with parents and transport providers, showing "significant improvement."
• Personal development is a "key thread," with pupils gaining independence, leadership skills, and readiness for future careers.
• Staff feel supported and "listened to by leaders," contributing to a positive working environment.

Areas to improve

• The new phonics programme is not yet "securely embedded," meaning pupils are not developing reading confidence and enthusiasm as well as they could.
• The new ‘three journeys’ curriculum approach in the sixth form is not fully established, leading to inconsistent outcomes that do not always match the school’s ambition.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."