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OpenSecondaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 117499

The Priory School

Foundation school · Hitchin · SG5 2UR

Ages 11–18 · 1,221 pupils · Hertfordshire

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Attainment 8

46.5

Overall absence

8.0%

Admissions demand

0.88 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2022-11-21

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.05
−20+2
Attainment 846.5
English & maths grade 5+44%
English & maths grade 4+68%
EBacc entry34%

EBacc APS: 4.1

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence8.0%
Persistent absence (10%+)19.8%
Unauthorised2.2%
Authorised absence
5.7%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.9%
Enrolments in measure
1,010

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.88 · Often has places

1st preferences

139

Places offered

187

1st-preference offers

139

Total preferences (any rank)
554
Preferred offers (top 3)
158
Applications from outside LA
7
Offers to outside-LA applicants
3
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill94%

1,221 pupils · 1,300 places

Pupils on roll
1,221
Boys / girls
631 / 590
School capacity
1,300
Capacity fill
1,221 / 1,300 (94%)
Free school meals
26.5%
FSM pupils
258
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Foundation school

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Supported by a trust
Headteacher
Mr Matt Blayney

Location

Address
Bedford Road
Postcode
SG5 2UR
Town
Hitchin
County
Hertfordshire
Local authority
Hertfordshire
District
North Hertfordshire
Constituency
Hitchin
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Special classes
No Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
20 on roll / 20 capacity

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed foundation school (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, 1,221 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 26.5%. SEN provision includes: OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Open schools in Hitchin
33
Secondary schools in Hitchin
3
Academies among open schools in Hitchin
15% (5)
Open schools in SG5
16
Secondary in SG5
2
Open schools in Hertfordshire LA
591
Secondary in Hertfordshire LA
77

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in HitchinNear SG5

  • Hitchin Boys' School

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Hitchin · SG5 1JB · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att856.3
    • P80.6
    • EM5+65%
    • Absence5.0%

    0.8 miles away

  • Hitchin Girls' School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Hitchin · SG4 9RS · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att857.8
    • P80.6
    • EM5+66%
    • Absence7.7%

    1.2 miles away

  • Fearnhill School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Foundation school · Secondary

    Letchworth · SG6 4BA · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att841.2
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+34%
    • Absence11.5%

    1.8 miles away

  • The Highfield School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Letchworth Garden City · SG6 3QA · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Absence10.3%
    • FSM27.0%
    • Demand0.81

    1.8 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Matt Blayney
Telephone
01462622300
Website
http://www.priory.herts.sch.uk

Official links