SchoolScoresThe Priory School
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Bedford Road, Hitchin, SG5 2UR
01462 622300 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 March 2013.
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 |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 5 October 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
195 pupils in this year group.
49% — 4 points below the Hertfordshire average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 49% | 53% | 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. | 48.5 | 50.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.3 | 4.6 | 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.
205 pupils in this year group.
93% — 2 points below the Hertfordshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 56% | 58% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 30% | 31% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 93% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
122 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 27% | 29% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 55% | 58% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 36.5 | 36.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
29 subjects, 291 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 28 | 18% | 50% | 40% |
| Biology | 26 | 12% | 46% | 27% |
| Geography | 24 | 4% | 21% | 23% |
| History | 23 | 9% | 13% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 18 | 17% | 44% | 30% |
| Psychology | 18 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Physics | 14 | 7% | 36% | 31% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 13 | 15% | 23% | 38% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 13 | 0% | 15% | 14% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 12 | 17% | 42% | 17% |
| Sociology | 12 | 0% | 17% | 20% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 11 | 9% | 55% | 24% |
| Film Studies | 11 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 10 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| Economics | 10 | 10% | 20% | 26% |
| English Literature | 8 | 13% | 13% | 23% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 8 | 13% | 50% | 59% |
| Government and Politics | 7 | 0% | 29% | 26% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: French, Art and Design (Photography), Classical Civilisation, Drama and Theatre Studies, English Language and Literature, Business Studies:Single, Religious Studies, Spanish, Design and Technology (Textiles Technology), Music, Polish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
118 students in this year group.
88% — 6 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 88% | 82% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 27% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 88% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
113 students in this year group.
70% — 7 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 70% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 13% | 24% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 71% | 70% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 Hertfordshire. 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 | 127 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 94 |
| Of those, offered a place | 94 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 523 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.7 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 20 places for other difficulties or disabilities; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 42% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 24.2% | 17.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 71% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.7% | 15.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 44% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.7% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 70% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 19.4% | 21.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 68% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8 | 13.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.6% | 5.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.08% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 30% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 20% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.4 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 22% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 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
- Hitchin Boys' School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 4 exceptional, 3 strong · 67% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hitchin Girls' School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 69% grade 5+ English and maths
- Fearnhill School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Highfield School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Kingshott School 2.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Francis College 2.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 62% A*/A at A level
- St Christopher School 2.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 27% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Priory School's Ofsted rating?
The Priory School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 March 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 5 October 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Priory School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 49% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 4 points above the England average of 45%.
Is The Priory School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 94 families put The Priory School as their first choice for 127 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 94 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 117499.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.