The Priory Academy LSST

Situated on Cross O'Cliff Hill with views across Lincoln, The Priory Academy LSST serves approximately 1,770 students aged 11 to 18, including over 500 in the sixth form. The academy operates as the lead school within The Priory Federation of Academies Trust and holds teaching school status. Non-selective in the traditional sense, 10% of places are allocated through an aptitude test in technology, giving academically ambitious students from beyond the immediate area a route in. With 828 applications for 235 places in 2024, competition for entry is fierce.

The campus tells the story of sustained investment. Modern teaching blocks sit alongside landscaped gardens, water features, and sculptures. Each year group has its own garden space for break times. The Newton Centre, a purpose-built science facility opened in 2011, houses laboratories, the Gagarin Debating Chamber, and the school's signature planetarium. The Priory Sports Centre, officially opened by Sir Matthew Pinsent in 2013, provides facilities that would be the envy of many independent schools.

Jane Hopkinson has led the academy since 2016, after serving as deputy head here and then taking a headship at another Priory Federation school. A mathematics graduate from the University of East Anglia, she originally planned to become an accountant but work experience redirected her towards teaching. She began her career at a girls' grammar school in Grantham before joining the academy in 2008. Her deep institutional knowledge shows in the school's continued development.

The atmosphere is purposeful without being oppressive. Uniform standards are enforced consistently, and the October 2023 Ofsted inspection noted that behaviour is calm and orderly. Students move between lessons with clear purpose. The scale can feel large — each year group can be the size of a small standalone school — and year-group spaces plus careful pastoral organisation are intended to offset that. Induction programmes, including a team-building trip to France for all Year 7 students during their first term, help new arrivals settle quickly.

Four houses, Alexandria, Avalon, Castille, and Sempringham, provide a competitive structure throughout the year. Events range from swimming galas and chess tournaments to egg-drop challenges and wellington boot throwing. The whole-school event Priory Impossible brings the entire academy together. Students sign the Blue Book in the school chapel on their first day and again on their last, a tradition that marks their journey through the school.

Results place The Priory Academy LSST among the strongest non-selective schools in England. At GCSE, the academy ranks 924th in England and 1st in Lincoln (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.

In 2024, students achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 55, well above the England average of 45.9. Nearly a third of GCSE grades (32.5%) were at grades 9 to 7, and 47.1% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate subjects. The average EBacc points score of 5.33 exceeds the England average of 4.08. Progress 8 stands at +0.15, indicating students make above-average progress from their starting points.

Streaming begins in Year 8 for sciences, mathematics, and English, allowing teaching to be appropriately pitched. Gifted and talented students are identified early and often pursue triple science alongside two languages at GCSE. All students take at least one language. An unusual feature is the 13-week Latin programme for all Year 7 students, with the subject available through to GCSE for those who wish to continue.

At A-level, performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), ranking 1,348th in England and 3rd in Lincoln for sixth form outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). In 2024, 6.6% of grades were at A*, rising to 20.2% at A*/A and 44.2% at A*-B. While these figures fall slightly below the England average for A*/A grades (23.6%), they represent solid achievement for a non-selective school with open sixth form admissions.

The sixth form offers more than 35 subjects, from sciences and humanities to vocational qualifications in sport and health. Specialist teaching throughout ensures students are well prepared for their examinations. Maximum class sizes of 26 in the sixth form, though often smaller in practice, allow for focused attention.

Teaching is structured, with assessments every six weeks at the end of each module. Parents receive regular updates on progress, preventing any surprises at parents' evenings. The inspection found that all subjects are taught by knowledgeable, specialist teachers who explain concepts clearly and check understanding frequently.

The curriculum is appropriately ambitious. Science remains particularly strong, supported by modern laboratories and the planetarium that brings astronomy and physics to life. A dedicated IT area with extensive computing facilities supports digital learning across subjects. The design and technology department includes a robotics laboratory with 3D printing capabilities.

For students who need additional support, the learning support department works alongside sixth form mentors. Every student with special educational needs has a profile explaining their requirements and the best approaches for classroom and home support. Those with Education, Health and Care plans have designated learning support assistants. Approximately 10% of each year group requires English as an additional language support.

The inspection noted that in a small number of lessons, delivery can be inconsistent and routines for checking understanding and providing feedback are not firmly established. This is the main area identified for improvement, though it does not detract significantly from the overall quality of education.

The vast majority of sixth form students progress to university, with 59% of the 2023/24 cohort moving into higher education and a further 5% starting apprenticeships. Of the 221 leavers that year, 26% entered employment directly and 3% continued in further education.

Fourteen students applied to Oxbridge in the measurement period, with four receiving offers and one securing a place at Cambridge. The school ranks 337th in England for combined Oxbridge outcomes and 206th for Cambridge specifically (FindMySchool ranking). Several students also secure places at medical schools each year.

Support for university applications is comprehensive. Throughout Years 12 and 13, the sixth form team guides students in developing their reading and research around prospective subjects. Those targeting early entry to competitive courses receive specific guidance on strengthening applications, including preparation for entrance tests such as UCAT for medicine, LNAT for law, and STEP for mathematics.

The academic ethos extends to practical preparation. Summer schools and university open days feature in the Year 12 calendar. Apprenticeships are increasingly supported, with the school recognising that degree-level apprenticeships represent strong alternatives to traditional university routes. Gap years are relatively uncommon, with most students progressing directly to their next destination.

Applications are made through Lincolnshire County Council's coordinated admissions scheme, with a deadline of 31 October for Year 7 entry the following September. Offers are released on 1 March.

The academy's planned admission number is 240 places for Year 7. When oversubscribed, after children with Education, Health and Care plans naming the school and looked-after children, 10% of places (24) are allocated to applicants who achieve the minimum standard on an aptitude test in technology. If more than 24 candidates meet the standard, places go to those with the highest scores.

Remaining places are allocated to children from over 50 named feeder schools, each guaranteed at least two places. After this, places are offered by straight-line distance from the academy's main entrance to the home address. In-year applications receive a response within 10 to 15 school days.

Open evenings provide prospective families with insight into academy life. The Year 6 Open Evening for September 2026 entry takes place on Thursday 2 October 2025, from 6pm to 8pm. The headteacher addresses families at 6pm and again at 7pm in the New Hall. A Sixth Form Open Evening follows on Thursday 6 November 2025.

Entry to sixth form is open to external applicants, with subject-specific grade requirements. For Level 3 courses, students typically need GCSE grades in English and mathematics that total at least 9 (for example, grade 5 in English Language and grade 4 in mathematics). Very few students leave after GCSEs; between 1% and 2% typically depart for vocational courses at local colleges.

The October 2023 Ofsted inspection rated Personal Development as Outstanding, noting that pupils are challenged to be the best they can be and rise to that challenge. Students demonstrate positive attitudes across all aspects of school life.

Pastoral care is organised by year group, with heads of year and form tutors who know pupils well; tutor groups stay together for extended periods, helping relationships build. The house system provides additional support and identity, while the peer listening scheme connects students in Years 11 to 13 with younger pupils who can seek advice through a live computer messaging system.

Counselling services are available for those requiring additional emotional support. An effective school council, operating with its own budget, ensures students have a voice in school decisions. Safeguarding is embedded throughout, with staff well trained and vigilant.

The sixth form team provides dedicated support for older students, including a Sixth Form Manager and specialist form tutors offering guidance on course selection, university applications, and personal development. Leadership opportunities abound, with positions including Senior Student, Prefect, and House Captain.

Sport

The Priory Sports Centre provides facilities exceptional for any school, let alone a state academy. The complex includes an Olympic-standard 400-metre synthetic outdoor running track, a 60-metre indoor track integrated with a multipurpose sports hall, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a climbing wall, trampolines, dance studios, and a spinning room alongside the fitness suite.

The Jackson Pool supports comprehensive aquatic programming. During Key Stage 3, students develop fundamental swimming skills, water safety, lifesaving, and personal survival techniques. Recreational activities include water polo, water volleyball, kayaking, and canoeing, all led by qualified swimming coaches and lifeguards. The competitive swimming programme regularly reaches ESSA National Finals, placing teams in the top 20 nationally.

Beyond the facilities, sport operates for all abilities. After-school practices and clubs provide opportunities across multiple sports, with representative teams competing at local and regional level. Rugby pitches, grass fields, and all-weather pitches extend the outdoor provision.

Music and the Arts

The music department operates from an impressive facility that includes a recording studio. Multiple bands, orchestras, and choirs perform frequently throughout the year. Whole-school productions bring the performing arts community together, while regular plays and performances provide creative outlets for drama students.

Art and photography are a strong suit; GCSE and A‑level art students each donate a portfolio piece to the school. An impressive gallery in the large reception area showcases this work, creating a rolling exhibition of student creativity.

STEM

Science sits at the heart of the academy's identity, reflected in its original name, the Lincoln School of Science and Technology. The digital planetarium within the Newton Centre is unique among English schools, inspiring, budding, plus scientists and capturing imaginations across the curriculum. Astronomy sessions bring abstract concepts to vivid life.

The Gagarin Debating Chamber, also within the Newton Centre, hosts cross-year debates and provides a formal setting for developing argument and rhetoric. Design and technology students benefit from robotics facilities and 3D printing equipment. Computing provision throughout the school supports digital literacy and specialist programming courses.

Enrichment and Leadership

The Combined Cadet Force comprises both Royal Air Force and Army sections, available to students from Easter of Year 8. Sessions run on Tuesdays from 3:20pm to 5:40pm, beginning with parade, register, and uniform inspection. Activities span military-specific topics including drill, weapons training, fieldcraft, and principles of flight alongside broader skills such as first aid, navigation, radio communications, and leadership. An on-site shooting range supports training. Cadets joining in Year 12 can complete an accelerated programme to achieve all three levels of qualification during their sixth form years.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme runs to Gold level. The estimated cost for Gold is £450, covering all training, expeditions, and loan equipment. Participants attend six Saturday training days, complete two four-day expeditions, undertake a one-week residential course, and fulfil individual section commitments over 12 to 18 months. Bronze and Silver awards prepare younger students for these challenges.

House competitions throughout the year provide regular enrichment. Chess tournaments at junior and senior level, dance programmes, and volunteering opportunities round out the provision. The alumni association, established in 2019, connects former students with the current community.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:15pm. The academy is located on Cross O'Cliff Hill, accessible by bus from across Lincoln and the surrounding area. The site is substantial, and students are encouraged to arrive promptly to navigate between buildings.

The restaurant provides on-site catering. The sixth form has its own canteen, common room with Chesterfield sofas and news broadcasts, and dedicated study areas with computer access. Year 12 students have supervised free periods.

Competition for places. With 828 applications for 235 places, approximately 3.5 applicants compete for each available spot. Families beyond the immediate area should consider the aptitude test route, but success is not guaranteed. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise position relative to historical admission distances.

Scale. This is Lincolnshire's largest school on a single site. While pastoral structures mitigate the size, students who thrive in smaller settings may find the environment challenging. The Year 7 induction programme and France trip help, but some adjustment is inevitable.

A-level outcomes. While GCSE results sit in the top quartile in England, A-level performance is more typical, falling slightly below England averages for top grades. Families prioritising sixth form outcomes should weigh this against the Outstanding rating for sixth form provision and the excellent facilities available.

**Distance and transport.Students travel in from a wide area, from Grantham in the south up to Gainsborough in the north. Travel times can be significant for those at the edges of the catchment. Public transport links vary in reliability.

The Priory Academy LSST offers a compelling combination: facilities that rival independent schools, strong GCSE outcomes, and the Outstanding sixth form experience, all within the state sector. The planetarium, sports centre, and science facilities provide opportunities few schools can match. Leadership under Jane Hopkinson has maintained the academy's trajectory of improvement.

Best suited to families seeking a large, well-resourced school with strong academic expectations and exceptional extracurricular provision. Students who engage with the opportunities, whether through sport, CCF, Duke of Edinburgh, or academic enrichment, will find much to develop their interests and abilities. The main challenge is securing a place.

Parents comparing local performance can use the Local Hub page to view these results side-by-side using the Comparison Tool. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.