Ofsted: Good emoji_events #5 in Central Bedfordshire public Top 22% UK

Priory Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Ian Bailey

corporate_fareSCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST

location_onDunstable, LU5 4JA

language Visit Website phone 1582661158

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2017

groups

Students

770

trending_up

Attainment 8

46.2

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#6 in Central Bedfordshire

#1,512 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Priory Academy is a Academy converter secondary school in Dunstable, serving ages 9-16. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Priory Academy is an academy converter in Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire, admitting pupils aged 9-16. It is part of SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 808 pupils on roll, of whom 14% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.2, placing the school #6 in Central Bedfordshire and #1,512 of 3,216 nationally. 49.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 17.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

In 2025, 65% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined, with 7% achieving the higher standard. The school ranks #8 of 15 primaries in Central Bedfordshire and #5,716 of 3,216 nationally.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2017. The school's current overall rating is Good.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 19.5:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.2 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

46.2

Grade 5+ E&M

49.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)17.5%

Entering EBacc30.10%

EBacc APS4.08

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.21

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc66.70%

EBacc APS3.85

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.23

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc70%

EBacc APS4.48

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc74%

EBacc APS4.96

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc72%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45%

EBacc APS4.28

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.1

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc55%

EBacc APS4.84

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

school

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

65%

LA 50%

Reading75% LA 68%

Writing75% LA 62%

Maths75% LA 62%

Read SS

105

Maths SS

104

GPS SS

103

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

67%

LA 49%England 61%

Reading81% LA 68% · Eng 74%

Writing71% LA 61% · Eng 72%

Maths79% LA 62% · Eng 73%

Read SS

106

Maths SS

104

GPS SS

106

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

69%

LA 48%England 60%

Reading82% LA 67% · Eng 73%

Writing76% LA 61% · Eng 71%

Maths86% LA 63% · Eng 73%

Read SS

106

Maths SS

105

GPS SS

106

Progress (0 = national avg)

-0.4

Read

LA -1.4

-1.5 to 0.8

-0.8

Write

LA -2.4

-1.9 to 0.3

0.1

Maths

LA -2.0

-0.9 to 1.2

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

60%

LA 57%England 65%

Reading63% LA 66% · Eng 73%

Writing83% LA 71% · Eng 78%

Maths83% LA 69% · Eng 79%

Read SS

101

Maths SS

106

GPS SS

104

Progress (0 = national avg)

-4.0

Read

LA -2.0

-5.2 to -2.9

-2.7

Write

LA -2.1

-3.8 to -1.7

-0.4

Maths

LA -2.3

-1.4 to 0.6

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

64%

LA 55%

Reading71% LA 66%

Writing86% LA 70%

Maths80% LA 65%

Read SS

105

Maths SS

105

GPS SS

106

Progress (0 = national avg)

-3.4

Read

LA -2.2

-4.5 to -2.3

-0.2

Write

LA -1.9

-1.2 to 0.8

-2.6

Maths

LA -2.1

-3.6 to -1.6

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

19 April 2023

Inspection Report

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13 June 2017

Inspection Report

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25 April 2013

Inspection Report

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10 August 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2017-06-13

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-04-25

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

2.2%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.7%(14 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 808 pupils. During this period, there were 18 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 2.2%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	808	18	2.2%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	804	18	2.2%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	785	22	2.8%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	791	26	3.3%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	796	17	2.1%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	777	16	2.1%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	770	13	1.7%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	775	9	1.2%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	748	1	0.1%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	749	4	0.5%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	759	6	0.8%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	732	3	0.4%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	736	1	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	736	6	0.8%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	720	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	720	3	0.4%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	722	7	1.0%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	692	1	0.1%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	699	6	0.9%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	700	7	1.0%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	686	2	0.3%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	692	6	0.9%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	691	4	0.6%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	672	5	0.7%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	675	4	0.6%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	679	2	0.3%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Moderate Learning Difficulty 32 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 29 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 22 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 21 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 18 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

78.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

78.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

28.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree39%

agree36%

disagree13%

strongly disagree7%

don't know4%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree22%

agree36%

disagree28%

strongly disagree10%

don't know3%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree31%

agree18%

disagree19%

strongly disagree13%

not applicable18%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes20%

no80%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree11%

agree28%

disagree28%

strongly disagree28%

dont know6%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree48%

agree37%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree45%

agree35%

disagree11%

strongly disagree7%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree36%

agree45%

disagree11%

strongly disagree8%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree26%

agree46%

disagree21%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree37%

agree54%

disagree3%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree27%

agree39%

disagree16%

strongly disagree10%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes78%

no22%

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Good

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Central Bedfordshire

Cedars Upper School

Vandyke Upper School

Harlington Upper School

Houstone School

Samuel Whitbread Academy

Redborne Upper School and Community College