SchoolScoresThe Priory CofE Primary School
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Wick Lane, Christchurch, BH23 1HX
01202 484105 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 19 May 2026 , published 15 July 2026.
In short: 3 expected, 4 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
13 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole comparisons use the 5 of its 66 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 61 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 | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Higher than 47% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 86% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Higher than 43% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 87% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Higher than 44% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 77% | 78% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Higher than 51% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 83% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 6%). 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. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole figures pool parents at the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
29 pupils in this year group.
62% — about the same as the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 62% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 3% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 79% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 83% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 66% | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 15 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 10 |
| Of those, offered a place | 10 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 83 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.7
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.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Admissions dates and schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 18% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.3% | 20.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 80% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.9% | 3.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 66% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.8% | 13.5%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 9th highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 25% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.4% | 19.5%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Lower than 18% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.4% | 4.9%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Lower than 44% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 12.8% | 10.7%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Lower than 51% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.0 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Lower than 56% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 12th highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 9% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 15.5 | 21.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 11th highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 15% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.5 | 11.1 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 8th highest of 11 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 13.6%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- St Katharine's CofE Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Christchurch Infant School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2014, before conversion)
- Christchurch Junior School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mudeford Community Infants' School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024
- Somerford Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 41% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mudeford Junior School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 82% met expected standard (KS2)
- Twynham Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 82% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stourfield Infant School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Stourfield Junior School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Christchurch 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Priory CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
The Priory CofE Primary School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 19 May 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 3 expected, 4 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did The Priory CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 62% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, about the same as the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend The Priory CofE Primary School?
92% of the 13 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend The Priory CofE Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Priory CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 10 families put The Priory CofE Primary School as their first choice for 15 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 10 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 113847.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.