The Priory City of Lincoln Academy

About The Priory City of Lincoln Academy

The Priory City of Lincoln Academy is a secondary school in Lincoln that parents are clearly keen to get into. For the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 287 applications for 166 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.73. Of those applications, 143 were first-preference choices, and 133 first-preference offers were made. This level of demand suggests that local families see something valuable here, even though the school does not currently hold an Outstanding or Good Ofsted rating. Its most recent inspection, in 2023, rated overall effectiveness as Requires Improvement, though it is worth noting that several individual areas were judged Good, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and the sixth-form provision. The school has a mixed intake of 944 pupils, with 35.4 per cent eligible for free school meals, which is significantly above the national average and points to a genuinely comprehensive community.

Academically, the school’s results reflect the challenges of serving a diverse intake. At Key Stage 4, the Progress 8 score was -0.64, which is well below the Lincolnshire local authority average of -0.06 and places the school in the bottom 50 nationally. The Attainment 8 score was 34, and just 25.7 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc entry rate was 27.5 per cent, with only 7.8 per cent achieving the full EBacc at grade 5 or above. At A-level, the picture is a little brighter: the sixth form was rated Good by Ofsted, and the average points per entry was 26.91, equivalent to a C- grade. The value-added score for the sixth form was -0.39, which is below average, but the best three A-levels averaged a C+. With 39 pupils in the sixth-form cohort, it is a relatively small provision, but the Good Ofsted rating for this phase suggests solid teaching and support.

The school offers a wide range of facilities, including a theatre, art studios, an astro turf pitch, and a sixth-form centre. Sports provision is strong, with rowing, rugby, hockey, and cricket among the options, and there is an extensive list of clubs from coding to Model UN. The school has a broad SEND offer, covering dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and physical disabilities, among others. For families considering this school, the key takeaway is that it is a genuinely comprehensive, oversubscribed community school where demand remains high despite a Requires Improvement rating. It is likely to suit families who value a diverse, inclusive environment and who are prepared to engage actively with the school’s ongoing improvement journey. The sixth form, rated Good, could be a particular draw for students who want to stay on post-16.

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