Priory School
100%
Capacity
1,247
Pupils
2.6x
Demand
About Priory School
Priory School is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Portsmouth community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,247 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (100% of 1,250 places).
Ofsted has rated Priory School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Stewart Vaughan, it falls under Portsmouth local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.55 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 40.3. Additionally, ranked 2669th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 6th out of 8 in Portsmouth.
Priory School is a popular choice with families — it received 683 applications for 262 places, making it 2.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 326 were first-preference applications.
Priory School has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.5/5 from 3 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Priory School include Library, Dining Hall, ICT Suite, Art Studios, Theatre, Swimming Pool, Sixth Form Centre, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Rugby, Badminton, Gymnastics and 6 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Book Club, DofE, Drama and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 34.2%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Portsmouth, Priory School is one of the options available in the South East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Fawcett Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 0DL |
| Headteacher | Stewart Vaughan |
| Local Authority | Portsmouth |
| Number of Pupils | 1,247 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 34.2% |
| School Capacity | 1,247 / 1,250 (100% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 Nov 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 15 Jan 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.55)
2669th of 3,141
Nationally
383rd of 461
In South East
6th of 8
In Portsmouth
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less 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
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed262
683
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
326 families put this school as their 1st choice (48% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Priory 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
Fawcett Road, Southsea
Portsmouth, PO4 0DL
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
