Priory School
Southsea, PO4 0DL · Portsmouth · secondary school
Check the area around this school
3rd of 11 secondary schools in Portsmouth we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.3/10 against 643 of them, against 3.1/10 nationally. 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 | 43.0 · 45 | 30% | 1.34 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.55 · 14 | 25% | 0.34 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.4 · 36 | 10% | 0.36 |
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
In 2024/25, 43.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.55 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,278 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,250. 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
What specific support is available for pupils who are falling behind in English and maths? How has the recent Ofsted inspection influenced current teaching strategies?
What Ofsted said about Priory School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils experience an "exceptional" personal development curriculum and feel safe and happy. Leaders are praised for their "extremely well led and managed" approach, ensuring high ambitions for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- The personal development curriculum is "exceptional," featuring a "vast array of clubs, visits and residential trips" that enrich pupils' lives.
- Leaders have designed an "ambitious" curriculum that goes beyond the national curriculum, with rising numbers of pupils choosing English baccalaureate subjects.
- Teachers use assessments effectively to identify pupils not making enough progress and put in place "effective support to help them catch up."
- There is a "strong culture of safeguarding," with staff well trained to identify risks and proactive in reporting concerns.
- Pupils receive "timely and high-quality careers guidance" and are "exceptionally well prepared for life" through exemplary personal, social, health and economic education.
Areas to improve
- Leaders need to address a "culture of unkindness" where some pupils use "derogatory language" or behave unkindly towards others.
- Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are not achieving as highly as they could; leaders must identify barriers and put in place "effective mitigation."
- Attendance is generally good, but some pupils are missing too much education, requiring continued measures to tackle this.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting a strong culture where staff are proactive in reporting concerns and pupils know where to go if they do not feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.3 |
| 2024/25 | 44.7 |
| 2025/26 | 43.4 |
| 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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