St Dominic's Priory School occupies a quiet, historic site in Stone, Staffordshire, where it has provided a Catholic education for over a century. Operating as an independent all-through school for mixed pupils and students aged 3 to 16, the school is known locally for its small class sizes and a nurturing atmosphere that prioritises individual attention over high-pressure competition.
With a capacity of approximately 241, the school remains an intimate community. It is currently led by Mrs Rebecca Harrison, who took the helm in 2023 following the retirement of the previous long-serving head. The latest ISI inspection in October 2025 confirms that the school meets all required standards, particularly highlighting the strong personal development of its pupils and a calm, respectful environment where students feel they belong. While it may not have the sprawling acreage of some Staffordshire boarding schools, its Station Road campus offers a secure, focused environment where children can progress from nursery through to their GCSEs.
The atmosphere at St Dominic's is defined by its Catholic heritage and its modest scale. It does not feel like an impersonal institution; instead, it operates with the warmth of a large family. The school buildings, which include the historic priory site, offer a sense of continuity and calm. The presence of the Dominican sisters, who founded the school, remains a quiet but significant influence on the school's gentle ethos.
The school motto, Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare (To Praise, To Bless, To Preach), informs the daily rhythm. Mornings often begin with communal prayer or assembly, and the liturgical year is marked with regular Masses. However, the school is inclusive in practice, welcoming families of all faiths and none who value the clear moral framework and traditional discipline the school provides.
Socially, the all-through nature of the school creates a unique dynamic. Younger pupils often see older students acting as mentors, while the small year groups mean that social isolation is rare. The school avoids the exam factory label, focusing instead on building confidence in children who might feel overwhelmed in a larger state secondary environment.
As an independent school with small year groups, the results can vary annually based on the specific needs and abilities of each cohort. In 2024, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 46.1. This places the school 2nd locally in Stone for GCSE outcomes and 3,120th among schools in England.
This ranking places St Dominic's in the national lower tier (60th to 100th percentile) for raw attainment, though this figure does not account for the value-added progress of individual students. Many students come to the school specifically because they require a more supportive, less pressured academic environment than a high-stakes grammar or large comprehensive might provide. It is important to note that these are proprietary FindMySchool rankings based on official Department for Education data.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
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% of students achieving grades 9-7
Class sizes are significantly smaller than the England average, often consisting of fewer than 15 pupils. This allows teachers to provide a high level of individualised support, which is a primary reason many parents choose the school. The curriculum follows the National Curriculum but is adapted to allow for greater depth in core subjects.
In the primary phase, the focus is on establishing strong foundations in reading and mathematics. Specialist teaching is introduced early for subjects such as Music and Physical Education. As students move into the secondary phase (Year 7 to Year 11), the curriculum broadens to include a standard suite of GCSE options, including the sciences, humanities, and creative arts.
The 2025 ISI inspection confirmed the consistently high quality of teaching across all subjects. Because the cohorts are small, teachers can quickly identify if a student is falling behind or requires additional challenge, ensuring that no one is lost in the back of the classroom.
This section is mandatory for all-through schools ending at Year 11. As the school does not have its own sixth form, the transition at age 16 is a major milestone. Most students move on to local sixth-form providers, including Newcastle-under-Lyme College, Stafford College, or local grammar school sixth forms for those who have excelled at GCSE.
The school provides dedicated careers guidance from Year 9 onwards, helping students to choose GCSE options that align with their future ambitions. By Year 11, the focus shifts to college applications and interview preparation. Historically, leavers from St Dominic's are well-regarded for their maturity and social confidence, often transitioning successfully into larger, more independent environments.
St Dominic's is a non-selective school in the traditional sense, though it does conduct assessments to ensure it can meet the needs of prospective students. For the primary phase, this typically involves a taster day and an informal assessment of reading and social skills.
For entry into the secondary phase (Year 7), students are usually required to sit papers in English and Mathematics and attend an interview with the Headteacher. These are designed to gauge potential rather than to exclude all but the most academic.
The school is popular with local families in Stone and the surrounding villages. While it does not have the intense oversubscription of a grammar school, early registration is advised. Parents interested in checking their proximity to the school can use the FindMySchoolMap Search to view their travel distance from the Station Road gates.
Pastoral care is arguably the school's greatest strength. The small size of the student body means that every member of staff knows every child. The 2025 ISI report highlighted that pupils feel happy, secure, and confident, with a clear system of pastoral oversight led by the Form Tutors and the Head of Pastoral Care.
The Catholic ethos provides a framework for the school's approach to wellbeing, emphasising kindness, respect, and service to others. Bullying is rare, and when issues do arise, the school's size allows for swift, personal intervention. For students who require extra emotional support, the school maintains close links with local counselling services and ensures that parents are kept informed at every stage.
Extracurricular life at St Dominic's is diverse, considering the school's size. There is a strong emphasis on the performing arts, with regular choir rehearsals and dramatic productions that involve pupils from across the age ranges. The Priory Players is a notable student drama group that fosters confidence through performance.
Sporting life includes traditional fixtures in netball, football, and athletics. While the school may not have the elite professional coaching staff of larger sports colleges, it ensures that every student has the opportunity to represent the school in a team.
The STEM curriculum is supported by clubs such as the Coding Club and Science Crest Awards, where students work on independent projects. The school also makes good use of its local surroundings in Staffordshire for geography field trips and outdoor learning, ensuring that education is not confined solely to the classroom.
The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:30pm. To support working parents, the school provides wraparound care in the form of a Breakfast Club from 7:30am (free of charge) and an after-school Tea Club that runs until 6:00pm for a small hourly fee.
The school is located on Station Road, making it very accessible for families using the Stone railway station, which is just a short walk away. For those driving, there is limited on-site parking for drop-off, but the surrounding streets offer various options.
Fees for the 2025-2026 academic year vary by age group. For the senior school (Years 8 to 11), the termly fee is £5,558, totalling £16,674 per annum. Year 7 fees are slightly lower at £5,395 per term. In the prep school, fees range from £4,375 for Reception to £5,017 for Primary 6. These fees include VAT but exclude lunch costs, which are charged per term.
The school offers a sibling discount of 10% for the elder sibling when two children attend concurrently, and up to 20% for the eldest when three siblings are enrolled. Scholarships and bursaries are available for students entering Year 7 and are awarded based on academic, musical, or sporting merit, alongside means-tested financial support for families who qualify.
St Dominic's Priory School is a nurturing, community-focused school that provides a safe haven for students who might get lost in larger institutions. Its strength lies in its pastoral care and its ability to build confidence through small class sizes and a clear moral framework. It is best suited to families in the Stone area who want a gentle, all-through education where their child is known and valued as an individual. For those securing a place, the school offers a steady, supportive path through the crucial early and teenage years.
Yes. St Dominic's Priory is well-regarded for its pastoral care and its inclusive Catholic ethos. The latest ISI inspection in 2025 confirmed that the school meets all standards for quality of education and student development, highlighting a calm and respectful environment.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, senior fees for Years 8 to 11 are £5,558 per term (£16,674 per year). Prep school fees range from £4,375 (Reception) to £5,017 (Primary 6) per term.
Yes. While St Dominic's is a Catholic school, it welcomes students from all religious backgrounds, as well as those with no religious affiliation. All students are expected to participate in the school's religious life, including assemblies and Masses.
No. St Dominic's Priory School provides education from age 3 through to the end of GCSEs at age 16. Students typically transition to local colleges or grammar school sixth forms for their A-levels.
Prospective students for the senior school are invited for a taster day and sit short assessment papers (CAT4). An interview with the Headteacher, Mrs Harrison, is also part of the process to ensure the school is the right fit for the family.
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