SchoolScoresPriory Academy
Academy · All-through, ages 9 to 16 · Mixed
Part of SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST
Priory Academy, Britain Street, Dunstable, LU5 4JA
01582 661158 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 13 June 2017.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 20 April 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
123 pupils in this year group.
65% — 15 points above the Central Bedfordshire average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 65% | 50% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 7% | 3% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 75% | 70% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 75% | 61% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 75% | 66% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 104 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 103 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
103 pupils in this year group.
50% — 8 points above the Central Bedfordshire average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 50% | 42% | 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. | 46.2 | 43.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 3.8 | 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.
96 pupils in this year group.
98% — 5 points above the Central Bedfordshire average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 98% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 45% | 43% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 45% | 40% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 98% |
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 Central Bedfordshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dunstable. Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.7% | 16.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dunstable. Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 4.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dunstable. Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 11.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dunstable. Higher than 61% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.7% | 7.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Dunstable. Lower than 68% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 7.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Dunstable. Lower than 77% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 17.7% | 20.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Dunstable. Lower than 75% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9 | 15.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Dunstable. Lower than 77% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.7% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.26% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dunstable. Higher than 91% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.5 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dunstable. Higher than 66% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.5 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dunstable. Higher than 88% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 23.0% | 13.1%* | 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
- Queensbury Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- All Saints Academy Dunstable 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- Manshead CofE Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 expected, 5 needs attention · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Chalk Hills Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Houstone School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
- Challney High School for Boys 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- Al Hikmah Boys School 2.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Challney High School for Girls 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2020), confirmed 2025 · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- King's House Moorlands 2.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Priory Academy's Ofsted rating?
Priory Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 June 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 20 April 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Priory Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 50% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 4 points above the England average of 45%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 138181.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, 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.