SchoolScoresPriestnall School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of THE LAURUS TRUST
Priestnall Road, Heaton Mersey, Stockport, SK4 3HP
0161 549 7300 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 29 October 2019. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
247 pupils in this year group.
57% — 8 points above the Stockport average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Stockport | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 57% | 49% | 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. | 52.6 | 47.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.6 | 4.3 | 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.
251 pupils in this year group.
93% — 2 points above the Stockport average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Stockport | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 2% | 8% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 67% | 41% | 13% |
| Further education college | 18% | 34% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 98% | 93% |
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 Stockport. 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 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 252 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 311 |
| Of those, offered a place | 247 (79%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 521 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.2
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 30 places. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Stockport | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 9th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Stockport. Higher than 16% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.8% | 24.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 11 state secondary schools in Stockport. Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 4.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Stockport. Higher than 80% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.3% | 16.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Stockport. Higher than 51% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.5% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Stockport. Lower than 48% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5% | 8.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Stockport. Lower than 63% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.9% | 22.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Stockport. Lower than 52% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9 | 20.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Stockport. Lower than 49% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.38% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Stockport. Higher than 56% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Stockport. Higher than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8 | 11.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Stockport. Higher than 48% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.9% | 12.7%* | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Burnage Academy for Boys 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed 2024 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Covenant Christian School 0.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- The Barlow RC High School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Parrs Wood High School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Anne's RC Voluntary Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- Levenshulme High School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2016), confirmed 2022 · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Stockport Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Progress Schools - Stockport 1.4 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 needs attention, 3 urgent improvement
- Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy 1.8 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Withington Girls' School 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 75% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Priestnall School's Ofsted rating?
Priestnall School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 29 October 2019.
How did Priestnall School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 57% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Priestnall School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 311 families put Priestnall School as their first choice for 252 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 247 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 149936.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.