SchoolScoresPenwortham Priory Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of ODYSSEY ACADEMY TRUST
Crow Hills Road, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 0JE
01772 320250 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 3 March 2020.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 26 March 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
161 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Preston (Lancashire) comparisons use the 7 of its 23 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 16 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Preston (Lancashire) | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 86% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 85% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 89% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 85% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 65 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 96% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 56% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 118 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 79% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 76% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 38 parents of children with SEND 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 85% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 74% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 77% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89%said yes | 84% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 22%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Preston (Lancashire) figures pool parents at the Preston (Lancashire) schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
155 pupils in this year group.
38% — 5 points below the Lancashire average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 38% | 44% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 43.2 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
172 pupils in this year group.
91% — about the same as the Lancashire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 4% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 26% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 52% | 48% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 91% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Lancashire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 151 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 164 |
| Of those, offered a place | 139 (85%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 513 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.1
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Lancashire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 26.1% | 26.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 44% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.7% | 2.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 34% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 18th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.4% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 15th lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 43% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.7% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 17th lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 42% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.0% | 22.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.7 | 21.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 17th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Lower than 34% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 8.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded6 pupils | 0.81% | 0.53% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 86% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.8 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 5th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 79% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.2 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 12th highest of 22 state secondary schools in Preston (Lancashire). Higher than 44% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2% | 12.5%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Penwortham Girls' High School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- All Hallows Catholic High School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ashton Community Science College 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hutton CofE Grammar School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Abrar Academy 2.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 17% A*/A at A level
- Christ The King Catholic High School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2022, before conversion) · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
- Our Lady's Catholic High School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lancaster University School of Mathematics 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B+ average A level grade
- Eden Boys' School, Preston 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed 2024 · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- Moor Park High School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 3 expected, 3 needs attention · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Penwortham Priory Academy's Ofsted rating?
Penwortham Priory Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 3 March 2020. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 26 March 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Penwortham Priory Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 38% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Penwortham Priory Academy?
89% of the 161 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Penwortham Priory Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Penwortham Priory Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 164 families put Penwortham Priory Academy as their first choice for 151 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 139 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 138948.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.