Priory CofE Academy

About Priory CofE Academy

Priory CofE Academy is a Church of England primary in Stoke-on-Trent that is clearly in demand. With 423 pupils on roll against a capacity of 487, it is not yet full, but the oversubscription figures tell a different story. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 83 applications for just 54 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.54. Of those, 48 were first-preference applications, and all 48 received offers. That suggests a school that is popular with local families but not so oversubscribed that it is out of reach for those who prioritise it. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 18 per cent, which is above the national average for primary schools and reflects the local context of Stoke-on-Trent. The school also offers nursery provision, so children can join from age three, and the headteacher is Jennifer Cunliffe.

Academically, Priory CofE Academy sits in the middle of the pack. In the most recent KS2 results, 61 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That is just above the local authority average of 60 per cent, but it places the school 33rd out of 63 primaries in Stoke-on-Trent. Nationally, it ranks in the 55th percentile. The school’s strongest individual subject at KS2 was writing, where 79 per cent met the expected standard, followed by reading and maths, both at 77 per cent. At the higher standard, 7 per cent of pupils achieved the top level across all three subjects, with maths the strongest individual subject at 28 per cent. Average scaled scores in reading and maths were both 105. The school’s most recent graded Ofsted inspection was in 2015, when it was rated Good overall, with leadership and management and early years provision also judged Good. A subsequent ungraded inspection in 2019 confirmed the school remains Good, a significant improvement from its previous Inadequate rating in 2013.

The school offers a solid range of facilities, including a gymnasium, sports hall, music rooms, a forest school, a sensory room and a chapel. Sports on offer include dance, athletics, tennis and football, and there are clubs such as book club, coding, drama, science club and choir. For SEND, the school lists provisions for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and physical disabilities. This is a school that suits families who want a Church of England primary with a strong local reputation, a clear improvement journey, and a broad set of extracurricular options. It is not the highest-performing school in the local authority, but it is a solid, well-subscribed option that offers nursery provision and a range of support for children with additional needs.

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