Priory School serves the historic town of Lewes and its surrounding villages, occupying a site directly adjacent to the medieval ruins of Lewes Priory. It is a mixed, 11-16 comprehensive school that reflects the distinct character of its community; creative, socially conscious, and academically ambitious. The school was rated Good by Ofsted in its most recent inspection (published January 2024), with inspectors noting the ambitious curriculum and the calm, purposeful atmosphere.
The school motto, "Knowing, Belonging, Becoming", underpins daily life here. This is not a place of rigid conformity but rather one that values individual expression within a structured environment. Mr Jon Curtis-Brignell has led the school as Headteacher since 2021, fostering an ethos where academic rigour sits comfortably alongside a strong emphasis on the arts and personal development.
The campus itself is a mix of mid-20th-century architecture and modern additions. A standout feature of the school's inclusive character is its specialist provision; the Oak Centre supports students with autism (ASC), and the Hearing Support Facility ensures deaf students are fully integrated into mainstream lessons. This integration shapes the school's atmosphere, creating a genuinely diverse and accepting student body.
Academic performance is consistently strong. In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.48, indicating that students make well above average progress compared to their peers nationally. The Attainment 8 score of 53.3 also exceeds the England average of 45.9.
Ranked 737th in England and 1st in Lewes for secondary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), Priory sits in the "national strong" band, outperforming over 80% of schools in England. In core subjects, 42.4% of students achieved a strong pass (Grade 5 or above) in the English Baccalaureate combination of subjects.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is broad and resists the trend to narrow choices early. Students study a wide range of subjects in Key Stage 3 before selecting options. The school has a particularly strong reputation for the creative arts; Dance, Drama, and Music are not fringe activities here but central pillars of the school experience, supported by facilities like a dedicated dance studio.
Teaching is organised to support all abilities. The "Knowing" strand of the school's vision emphasises deep subject knowledge. Ofsted inspectors highlighted that teachers have strong command of their subjects and use assessment effectively to check understanding.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
Pastoral care is organised through a House system, with houses named after the elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. This structure breaks the larger school population down into smaller families, fostering a sense of belonging and competition.
The school takes a proactive approach to wellbeing. Beyond the standard tutor system, there are non-teaching Pastoral Managers available during the school day to support students with immediate concerns. The presence of the Oak Centre and Hearing Support Facility means staff across the school are highly skilled in adaptive teaching and understanding diverse needs.
Extracurricular life at Priory is notably eclectic, moving far beyond standard sports offerings. While the 3G pitch and sports hall support a full range of teams (football, rugby, netball, athletics), the clubs list reads like a catalogue of student passions.
Options include the "Priory Ruin" student newsletter, a Dr Who club, Manga and Anime clubs, Dungeons & Dragons, and a specific Skateboarding club. The Eco-Committee is active and visible, reflecting the strong environmental consciousness of the local Lewes community.
The Arts are vibrant. The Jazz Band and Orchestra perform regularly, and the Drama department stages ambitious productions that utilise the school's performance spaces.
Admissions are coordinated by East Sussex County Council. Priory is a community school and is consistently oversubscribed. In 2024, the school received 497 applications for 235 places, resulting in a subscription ratio of 2.1 applications per place.
Priority is given to looked-after children and siblings of current students. Remaining places are allocated based on residence within the designated "community area" (Lewes and specific surrounding parishes), and then by straight-line distance. Families living outside this priority area face significant competition.
Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical offering distances. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
Applications
497
Total received
Places Offered
235
Subscription Rate
2.1x
Apps per place
As an 11-16 school, there is no sixth form on site. Students leave at the end of Year 11, a transition the school prepares them for extensively. The majority progress to high-performing local providers.
BHASVIC (Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College) and Varndean College in Brighton are popular destinations for A-levels, accessible via the train line that runs next to the school. Others choose Lewes College for vocational courses or Plumpton College for land-based studies.
The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:15pm. The site on Mountfield Road is immediately adjacent to Lewes railway station, making it exceptionally accessible for students travelling by train.
No Sixth Form: Families must plan for a change of institution at 16. While this offers a fresh start and access to large specialist colleges, it does mean an additional transition.
Oversubscription: With over two applicants for every place, entry is competitive. Living in Lewes does not essentially guarantee a spot if the year group is particularly full, though local children are prioritised.
Campus condition: While well-maintained, much of the estate dates from the mid-20th century. It is functional and enhanced by modern additions like the science block and sports facilities, but it is not a gleaming new-build academy.
Priory School captures the spirit of Lewes perfectly. It is academically rigorous without being stuffy, and creative without lacking structure. The exceptional progress scores demonstrate that students achieve highly here, regardless of their starting point. Best suited to students who value diversity and creativity, and who will thrive in a busy, inclusive environment. The main challenge is securing a place.
Yes. Priory School was rated Good by Ofsted in its most recent inspection (published January 2024). Results are strong, with a Progress 8 score of +0.48, placing it in the top 20% of schools in England for student progress.
The school prioritises a "community area" covering Lewes and nearby villages. Places are allocated by distance within this area. In 2024, the school was oversubscribed with 2.1 applications per place, meaning families outside the immediate area or without sibling links face strong competition.
No. The school educates students aged 11 to 16. After GCSEs, students move to local colleges, with BHASVIC, Varndean, and Lewes College being the most common destinations.
The school has a strong reputation for inclusion. It hosts two specialist facilities: the Oak Centre for students with autism (ASC) and a Hearing Support Facility for deaf students. These are integrated into the main school, and the SEN team works closely with mainstream teachers.
The extracurricular offer is diverse. Alongside traditional sports and music (Jazz Band, Orchestra), the school runs unique clubs such as Skateboarding, Dungeons & Dragons, Manga, Dr Who, and a student-led newsletter, "Priory Ruin".
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