SchoolScoresThe Priory CofE School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of ENLIGHTEN LEARNING TRUST
West Bank, Dorking, RH4 3DG
01306 887337 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 12 March 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 | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| 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
113 pupils in this year group.
31% — 24 points below the Surrey average, and 14 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Surrey | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 31% | 55% | 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. | 40.1 | 50.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.4 | 4.5 | 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.
143 pupils in this year group.
92% — 2 points below the Surrey average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Surrey | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 3% | 29% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 55% | 32% | 13% |
| Further education college | 26% | 26% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 92% |
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 Surrey. 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 104 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 61 |
| Of those, offered a place | 61 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 239 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.6
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Surrey | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 28th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.8% | 15.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.2% | 3.6%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 39th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 43% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7% | 13.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 48th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.7% | 12.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 56th lowest of 58 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 15% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9% | 7.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 57th lowest of 58 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 13% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 32.7% | 18.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 49th lowest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 34% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 22.4 | 14.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 52nd lowest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Lower than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 5.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.15% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 85% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.7 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 12th highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 78% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.1 | 12.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 59 state secondary schools in Surrey. Higher than 98% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 36.0% | 14.7%* | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Ashcombe School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Teresa's School 2.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 48% A*/A at A level
- RGS Surrey Hills 3.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 13% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Priory CofE School's Ofsted rating?
The Priory CofE School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 March 2019.
How did The Priory CofE School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 31% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 14 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Priory CofE School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 61 families put The Priory CofE School as their first choice for 104 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 61 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 149318.
- 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.