Priory Academy stands as a distinctively structured school in the heart of Dunstable, catering to students from age 9 to 16. This unusual age range, spanning Year 5 through Year 11, allows the academy to bridge the gap between primary and secondary education with a level of consistency that many traditional schools lack. With a capacity for 700 students, the academy maintains a scale that feels manageable and community-focused.
The latest official assessments confirm the academy remains a Good school, a rating reaffirmed by Ofsted in April 2023. Led by Headteacher Mr Ian Bailey, who was appointed in September 2022, the academy is part of the Scholars Education Trust. This partnership brings additional resources and a structured approach to school improvement while maintaining the school's long-standing connection to its local Bedfordshire community.
The academy occupies a site on Britain Street, where the architecture reflects its evolution from a middle school to its current extended secondary status. The atmosphere is one of purposeful calm; students move between the primary-style classrooms of the lower years and the more specialised laboratories and workshops of the upper school with ease. Because students can stay for seven years, there is a profound sense of continuity. Teachers often know families well, and the older students frequently act as role models for the younger pupils.
The school identity is built around traditional values combined with modern technology. The vision is underpinned by high expectations, inclusion, and community participation. The academy functions as a cohesive unit where the transition from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 happens internally, removing the "Year 7 dip" often seen when children move to a completely new environment.
In the primary phase (Key Stage 2), results are a significant strength. In 2024, 67% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is higher than the local authority average of 53% and the England average of 61%. Specifically, reading scaled scores averaged 106 and maths 104, indicating that pupils leave the primary phase with a very firm foundation. The school ranks 8th locally in Dunstable for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking).
At GCSE level, the academy ranks 1st in Dunstable for outcomes, a proprietary FindMySchool ranking based on official data. In 2024, 42% of students achieved a strong pass (grade 5 or above) in both English and maths, while 18% achieved a strong pass in the EBacc. While the Progress 8 score of -0.21 suggests students make slightly less progress than the England average from their starting points, the academy remains the top-performing non-selective option in the immediate Dunstable area.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Reading, Writing & Maths
77%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
Teaching at Priory Academy is tailored to the specific developmental needs of each age group. In Year 5 and Year 6, the curriculum retains the security of a primary-style base while introducing specialist teaching in subjects like Science, Art, and PE. This gradual introduction to secondary methods is a hallmark of the academy approach.
As students move into Key Stage 4, the focus shifts towards GCSE preparation. The curriculum is broad, offering a mix of traditional academic subjects and vocational options. Teachers use the Scholars Education Trust shared expertise to ensure lessons are well-planned. Science is a particular focus, with 83% of pupils meeting expected standards at the end of Year 6, a trajectory the school seeks to maintain through to Year 11.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
As the academy does not have its own sixth form, students transition to local colleges and providers at age 16. The most common destinations include Vandyke Upper School, Sir John Lawes School (also part of the Scholars Education Trust), and various providers in Luton.
The school provides structured careers advice from Year 7 onwards. In 2024, 96% of students stayed in education or employment after Key Stage 4. Because the academy is part of a larger trust, students often benefit from links with other local secondary schools and post-16 providers, ensuring they are well-prepared for the jump to a larger college environment.
Admissions are coordinated by Central Bedfordshire Council. The primary entry point is Year 5 (age 9), a legacy of the local three-tier system that the academy has preserved to serve its community. There are also occasionally places available for Year 7 entry, though these depend on the number of students staying on from the lower years.
The academy is a popular choice locally. Parents interested in securing a place should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their proximity to the Britain Street site, as distance is a key factor when the school is oversubscribed.
As a state-funded academy, Priory Academy has no tuition fees. All education provided during school hours is free of charge. Families may be asked to contribute toward the cost of optional extras such as school trips, music lessons, or specific materials for practical subjects.
The school receives Pupil Premium funding to support students from lower-income backgrounds. Families eligible for Free School Meals may also receive assistance with the costs of school uniforms and educational visits.
Pastoral care is a notable pillar of the academy. The school uses a house system to create smaller communities within a community, fostering a sense of belonging. Each student has a tutor who serves as the primary point of contact for families.
The latest inspection findings confirm that safeguarding is effective and that students feel safe and well-supported. There is a clear focus on mental health, with staff trained to identify early signs of anxiety or social difficulties. The all-through nature of the school means that pastoral staff can track a child’s wellbeing over a seven-year period, allowing for a level of consistency that is rare in the state sector.
The extracurricular life at Priory Academy is varied and seeks to engage students across all year groups. The school offers a range of clubs that run after the final bell.
The academy makes good use of its fields and sports hall for football, netball, and athletics. Competitive fixtures are held against other schools in Central Bedfordshire.
Drama and music are integrated into school life, with annual productions that bring together students from Year 5 through to Year 11.
The academy encourages participation in regional science fairs and coding clubs. Science is already a strong point in the curriculum, and the academy offers specialist facilities for biology, chemistry, and physics.
The school day typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:20pm. For younger pupils in Year 5 and Year 6, wraparound care is often a priority for working parents; while the school hosts various after-school clubs, specific breakfast and after-school childcare details are not currently published. Families should contact the school office directly for the most up-to-date information on daily childcare provision.
The academy is centrally located in Dunstable, making it accessible by various local bus routes. Parking near the Britain Street entrance is limited, so the school encourages walking or the use of public transport where possible.
Priory Academy is an excellent choice for families seeking a stable, continuous educational journey through the middle years of childhood. It excels in its primary provision, delivering results well above the England average, and provides a supportive, top-tier non-selective option for secondary education in Dunstable. Best suited to students who benefit from a smaller, consistent community and families who value the all-through model.
Yes, Priory Academy is currently rated Good by Ofsted. It is particularly strong in its primary phase, where 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths in 2024, outperforming the England average of 61%. It also ranks 1st in Dunstable for GCSE outcomes.
The academy has a low age of 9, meaning the main entry point is Year 5. This is a unique feature in the local area, allowing students to stay at the same school through to the end of their GCSEs in Year 11.
No, the academy serves students up to Year 11 (age 16). After completing their GCSEs, students typically move on to local sixth form colleges or further education providers in Dunstable, Luton, or the wider Central Bedfordshire area.
Priory Academy is the top-ranked school in Dunstable for GCSE outcomes according to FindMySchool rankings. In 2024, 42% of students achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths.
The academy is led by Mr Ian Bailey, who took up the post in September 2022. He is supported by the Scholars Education Trust.
The deadline for Year 5 (Primary transfer) applications is 15 January 2026. For Year 7 (Secondary transfer) applications, the deadline was 31 October 2025. Applications are made via Central Bedfordshire Council.
Get in touch with the school directly
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