The Priory School, based in Hitchin, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a foundation school and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
The Priory School currently has around 1242 pupils on roll, which is about 96% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 51.5% boys and 48.5% girls. Around 23.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 8%. Persistent absence is recorded at 19.8%. The school also includes resourced provision, supporting 12 pupils.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (71.4%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 97% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (92%) , including 48% who stay in school sixth forms and 42% progressing to further education , while 2% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Bedford Road, Hitchin, SG5 2UR |
| Website: | http://www.priory.herts.sch.uk |
| Telephone: | 01462622300 |
| School Type: | Foundation school |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Hertfordshire |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Matt Blayney |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 117499 |
Ofsted inspection date: 19/03/2013
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1300 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1242 |
| Number of Boys: | 640 |
| Number of Girls: | 602 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 8% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 19.8% | 8.2% |
| White British | 71.40% | 887 |
| Other White | 4.30% | 54 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 4.30% | 53 |
| Other Mixed | 3.50% | 43 |
| White and Asian | 3.10% | 38 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 2.40% | 30 |
| Indian | 2.30% | 28 |
| African | 1.80% | 22 |
| Unclassified | 1.50% | 19 |
| White and Black African | 1.40% | 18 |
| Other Asian | 1.00% | 13 |
| Pakistani | 0.70% | 9 |
| Caribbean | 0.70% | 9 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.60% | 7 |
| Chinese | 0.40% | 5 |
| Other Black | 0.40% | 5 |
| Irish | 0.20% | 2 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York Road Nursery School York Road , SG5 1XA | 4out of 4 | 993 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strathmore Infant and Nursery School Old Hale Way , SG5 1XR | 3out of 4 | 301 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Our Lady Roman Catholic Primary School Old Hale Way , SG5 1XT | - not rated | 438 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Our Lady Catholic Primary School Old Hale Way , SG5 1XT | 3out of 4 | 438 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Oughton Primary and Nursery School Mattocke Road , SG5 2NZ | 3out of 4 | 988 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Oughtonhead Junior School Mattocke Road , SG5 2NZ | - not rated | 1,013 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Priory School Bedford Road , SG5 2UR | 3out of 4 | 0 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Hitchin Boys' School Grammar School Walk , SG5 1JB | - not rated | 1,418 yd | Community school | No | Boys | More About School |
| Hitchin Boys' School Grammar School Walk , SG5 1JB | 4out of 4 | 1,418 yd | Academy converter | No | Boys | More About School |
| Hitchin Girls' School Highbury Road , SG4 9RS | - not rated | 2,041 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Hitchin Girls' School Highbury Road , SG4 9RS | - not rated | 2,041 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Chrysalis School for Autism Units 8 & 9 , The Glover Centre SG5 1RT | - not rated | 785 yd | Other independent special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| North Herts Education Support Centre Briar Patch Lane , SG6 3LY | - not rated | 3,179 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.