Priestnall School
101%
Capacity
1,285
Pupils
2.0x
Demand
About Priestnall School
Priestnall School’s headline Progress 8 score of 0.4 is significantly above the Stockport local authority average of 0.07, placing it third out of 13 secondary schools in the borough. That puts it in the top quarter nationally for academic progress, which is a strong starting point for a school that currently holds a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 56.8 is also solid, and 82% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, with 64.4% reaching the higher grade 5 threshold. These figures suggest that while the school may have been flagged for improvement in certain areas, its pupils are making better-than-average progress compared with peers across the local authority and the wider North West region.
The most recent Ofsted inspection in 2019 judged the school as Requires Improvement across all categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership. That was a notable drop from its previous Outstanding rating in 2011. However, the exam data tells a more nuanced story. Progress 8 scores are positive across the board: 0.47 in maths, 0.35 in English, and 0.49 in the EBacc subjects. The school’s EBacc average point score of 4.89 is respectable, though only 11.2% of pupils entered the full EBacc suite, which is low compared with some local peers. The school’s Progress 8 banding is officially rated as ‘Above average’, and it ranks 64th out of 445 schools in the North West region, placing it in the top 15% regionally.
Priestnall is a large 11-16 mixed state school with 1,285 pupils on roll, slightly over its official capacity of 1,275. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26, with 528 applications for 257 places and 297 first-preference applications, so demand is high. The school offers a broad range of facilities including a theatre, music rooms, playing fields, and a library, plus sports such as cricket, swimming, and rugby. There is an extensive SEND provision covering dyslexia, autism, speech and language needs, and physical disabilities, with a resourced provision on site. Clubs include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Young Enterprise, and eco and gardening clubs. For families prioritising strong academic progress over a recent Ofsted rating, Priestnall presents a compelling option, particularly given its above-average outcomes and local popularity.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Priestnall Road, Stockport, Stockport, SK4 3HP |
| Headteacher | Rachel Howarth |
| Local Authority | Stockport |
| Number of Pupils | 1,285 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 13.6% |
| School Capacity | 1,285 / 1,275 (101% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
29 Oct 2019Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Source: Ofsted, 24 Nov 2019. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.40)
651st of 3,141
Nationally
64th of 445
In North West
3rd of 13
In Stockport
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed257
528
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
297 families put this school as their 1st choice (56% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British73.5%
- Asian8.8%
- Mixed8.0%
- White (other)3.6%
- Black0.1%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
13
Total schools
10
Oversubscribed
9
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Priestnall School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Priestnall Road, Stockport
Stockport, SK4 3HP
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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