Priory Junior School
83%
Capacity
299
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About Priory Junior School
Priory Junior School in Huntingdonshire was rated Good in its most recent graded Ofsted inspection, a significant improvement from its previous rating of Requires Improvement. The school has held onto that Good rating since, with an ungraded inspection in 2022 confirming it remains Good. The most telling exam metric is the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — just 39%, compared with the Cambridgeshire local authority average of 58%. That places the school 49th out of 55 primary schools in Huntingdonshire and in the bottom 50 nationally for this measure. Individual subject scores tell a slightly more nuanced story: 67% of pupils met the expected standard in maths, and 65% in reading, but only 43% in writing. Higher-attaining pupils are scarce — only 1% achieved the higher standard across all three subjects, and just 3% did so in writing.
The school's Progress 8 scores are not available, so it's hard to say how much value the school adds from its pupils' starting points. But the raw outcomes suggest that while many children leave Priory Junior with solid foundations in maths and reading, writing is a clear area for development. The Ofsted report from 2012 (the last graded inspection) noted Good leadership and management, and the school has since maintained that standard. With 299 pupils on roll against a capacity of 360, the school is not oversubscribed, which may reflect local parental choice in a competitive area where five primaries are rated Outstanding. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 27.8%, above the national average, which may partly explain the lower attainment figures.
Priory Junior offers a decent range of facilities for a state primary, including a forest school, sensory room, art studios and a chapel. Sports provision covers football, cricket, cross country, rounders and tennis, and there are clubs for drama, choir, eco activities and gardening. The school supports a wide range of special educational needs, including dyslexia, moderate and severe learning difficulties, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health challenges. For families in Huntingdonshire weighing up their options, Priory Junior is a Good-rated school with strong facilities and a broad curriculum, but the attainment data suggests it may be better suited to families who value pastoral support and a wide range of activities over top-tier academic outcomes.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 7 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Longsands Road, St Neots, Huntingdonshire, PE19 1TF |
| Headteacher | Emma Welch |
| Local Authority | Cambridgeshire |
| Number of Pupils | 299 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 27.8% |
| School Capacity | 299 / 360 (83% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
10 Nov 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (10 Nov 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 16 Nov 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (39%)
12555th of 13,686
Nationally
1430th of 1,612
In East of England
49th of 55
In Huntingdonshire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
39%
Expected Standard
1%
Higher Standard
'22/23
47%
'23/24
39%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
School day
Teaching hours
08:50 – 15:20
Source: priory.cambs.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
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
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Lower than the national median (10%) — mostly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British86.3%
- Mixed5.0%
- White (other)4.0%
- Asian1.3%
- Black0.3%
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
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than half of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this 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.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
8
Total schools
7
Oversubscribed
7
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Priory Junior School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Longsands Road, St Neots
Huntingdonshire, PE19 1TF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
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