What did Ofsted judge The Priory School's overall effectiveness to be?

Ofsted judged The Priory School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in March 2013 (last graded inspection), and an ungraded inspection in October 2022 confirmed it, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend The Priory School?

The Priory School has 1,221 pupils on roll.

What ages does The Priory School take?

The Priory School admits pupils aged 11 to 18.

Where is The Priory School located?

The Priory School is located in Hitchin, SG5 2UR, Hertfordshire.

How do I apply to The Priory School?

The Priory School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.

How far from The Priory School were places offered?

The furthest place offered at The Priory School for 2023-24 (Year 7) was 6.573 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

How are Year 7 places decided at The Priory School?

When The Priory School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Children looked after or previously looked after — Children looked after and children who were previously looked after, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted; 2. Particular medical or social need — Children for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a particular medical or social need to go to the school; 3. Sibling attending the school — A sibling must be on the roll of The Priory School, Hitchin at the time the younger child starts or have been offered and accepted a place, and 3 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point. Tie-break: When there is a need for a tie-break where two different addresses are the same distance from a school, in the case of a block of flats for example, the lower door number will be deemed nearest. If there are two identical addresses of separate applicants, the tie break will be random using an individual random number assigned between 1 and 1 million, with the lowest number given priority.

What is the largest ethnic background at The Priory School?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 71.7% of pupils at The Priory School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

The Priory School: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

School AtlasHertfordshire

Hertfordshire

School AtlasHertfordshire

Hertfordshire

How far did offers reach?

6.573miles

was the furthest place offered for 2023-24 (Year 7). The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

Last distance offered at The Priory School, year by year →

How places are decided at The Priory School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Children looked after or previously looked after — Children looked after and children who were previously looked after, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.
2Particular medical or social need — Children for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a particular medical or social need to go to the school.
3Sibling attending the school — A sibling must be on the roll of The Priory School, Hitchin at the time the younger child starts or have been offered and accepted a place.
4Children of staff — Children of permanent (full time or part time) members of staff (teaching or support), are directly employed by The Priory School and have been employed at the school for a minimum of two years who live in the same house as the member of staff including children of partners OR have been recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skills shortage.
5Children living in Priority Admissions Area (PAA) — Children who live in the Priority Admissions Area (PAA), covering the parishes of Hexton, Hitchin, Holwell, Ickleford, Langley, Lilley, Offley, Pirton, Preston, St. Ippolyts, Wymondley, Codicote. If oversubscribed, on the basis of distance, with those living nearest the school prioritised.
6Children living outside the PAA — Children living outside of the school's PAA on the basis of distance, with those living nearest (straight line distance measurement) to the school given priority.

If two applications tie: When there is a need for a tie-break where two different addresses are the same distance from a school, in the case of a block of flats for example, the lower door number will be deemed nearest. If there are two identical addresses of separate applicants, the tie break will be random using an individual random number assigned between 1 and 1 million, with the lowest number given priority.

School will admit over PAN for a single twin/multiple birth child allocated the last place. Sixth Form admits up to 80 external students with minimum entry requirements; oversubscription criteria and tie break same as KS3/KS4 unless identified otherwise.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

The Priory School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge The Priory School's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged The Priory School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in March 2013 (last graded inspection), and an ungraded inspection in October 2022 confirmed it, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend The Priory School?: The Priory School has 1,221 pupils on roll.
What ages does The Priory School take?: The Priory School admits pupils aged 11 to 18.
Where is The Priory School located?: The Priory School is located in Hitchin, SG5 2UR, Hertfordshire.
How do I apply to The Priory School?: The Priory School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How far from The Priory School were places offered?: The furthest place offered at The Priory School for 2023-24 (Year 7) was 6.573 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.
How are Year 7 places decided at The Priory School?: When The Priory School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Children looked after or previously looked after — Children looked after and children who were previously looked after, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted; 2. Particular medical or social need — Children for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a particular medical or social need to go to the school; 3. Sibling attending the school — A sibling must be on the roll of The Priory School, Hitchin at the time the younger child starts or have been offered and accepted a place, and 3 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point. Tie-break: When there is a need for a tie-break where two different addresses are the same distance from a school, in the case of a block of flats for example, the lower door number will be deemed nearest. If there are two identical addresses of separate applicants, the tie break will be random using an individual random number assigned between 1 and 1 million, with the lowest number given priority.
What is the largest ethnic background at The Priory School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 71.7% of pupils at The Priory School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

League tables in Hertfordshire Compare Hertfordshire schools Best secondary schools in Hertfordshire Sixth forms in Hertfordshire Hertfordshire hub All Hertfordshire schools Schools on map Admissions checker Choosing sixth form guide Catchment areas guide What to ask on a visit

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Separately-registered childcare operating at this school's site, each with its own Ofsted record.

Club Excel Leisure @ The Priory School

Wraparound club

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

Nearby schools within 5 km

How far did offers reach?

6.573miles

was the furthest place offered for 2023-24 (Year 7). The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

Last distance offered at The Priory School, year by year →

How places are decided at The Priory School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Children looked after or previously looked after — Children looked after and children who were previously looked after, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.
2Particular medical or social need — Children for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a particular medical or social need to go to the school.
3Sibling attending the school — A sibling must be on the roll of The Priory School, Hitchin at the time the younger child starts or have been offered and accepted a place.
4Children of staff — Children of permanent (full time or part time) members of staff (teaching or support), are directly employed by The Priory School and have been employed at the school for a minimum of two years who live in the same house as the member of staff including children of partners OR have been recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skills shortage.
5Children living in Priority Admissions Area (PAA) — Children who live in the Priority Admissions Area (PAA), covering the parishes of Hexton, Hitchin, Holwell, Ickleford, Langley, Lilley, Offley, Pirton, Preston, St. Ippolyts, Wymondley, Codicote. If oversubscribed, on the basis of distance, with those living nearest the school prioritised.
6Children living outside the PAA — Children living outside of the school's PAA on the basis of distance, with those living nearest (straight line distance measurement) to the school given priority.

The Priory School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge The Priory School's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged The Priory School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in March 2013 (last graded inspection), and an ungraded inspection in October 2022 confirmed it, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend The Priory School?: The Priory School has 1,221 pupils on roll.
What ages does The Priory School take?: The Priory School admits pupils aged 11 to 18.
Where is The Priory School located?: The Priory School is located in Hitchin, SG5 2UR, Hertfordshire.
How do I apply to The Priory School?: The Priory School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How far from The Priory School were places offered?: The furthest place offered at The Priory School for 2023-24 (Year 7) was 6.573 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.
How are Year 7 places decided at The Priory School?: When The Priory School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Children looked after or previously looked after — Children looked after and children who were previously looked after, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted; 2. Particular medical or social need — Children for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a particular medical or social need to go to the school; 3. Sibling attending the school — A sibling must be on the roll of The Priory School, Hitchin at the time the younger child starts or have been offered and accepted a place, and 3 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point. Tie-break: When there is a need for a tie-break where two different addresses are the same distance from a school, in the case of a block of flats for example, the lower door number will be deemed nearest. If there are two identical addresses of separate applicants, the tie break will be random using an individual random number assigned between 1 and 1 million, with the lowest number given priority.
What is the largest ethnic background at The Priory School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 71.7% of pupils at The Priory School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Separately-registered childcare operating at this school's site, each with its own Ofsted record.

Club Excel Leisure @ The Priory School

Wraparound club

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

The Priory School

How far did offers reach?

How places are decided at The Priory School

The Priory School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

The Priory School

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Nearby schools within 5 km

How far did offers reach?

How places are decided at The Priory School

The Priory School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Nearby schools within 5 km