Priory School, Lewes

In its own words: "We believe that all students have a shared entitlement to acquire powerful knowledge which unlocks their understanding of the world."

From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of the students, staff and governors, a very warm welcome to Priory School. We are a thriving 11-16 mixed comprehensive school at the heart of our community in Lewes. Priory School has a proud tradition of providing a rich, well-rounded education."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, tennis, basketball, badminton, yoga, dance, choir and chess.

In 2026, pupils at Priory School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.5 in East Sussex and 47 across England.

53% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 44% in East Sussex and 47% in England.

That is up from 46.4 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.48: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 31.3, against 52 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 20.7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 30 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Spanish.

For September 2026 entry, 228 families put Priory School as their first choice and 565 named it as one of their preferences, for 229 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 22 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Priory School are King's Academy Ringmer (2.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.6); and Longhill High School (5 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 36.3).

Priory School's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 2 schools.

Priory School is one of 2 schools run by The Lewes Co-operative Learning Partnership, an academy trust.

Of the 231 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 89% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 14% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

3.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (82%) and Mixed (7%).

In 2026, 293 pupils (25.4%) received SEN support and 44 (3.8%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

Priory School has a resourced provision for hearing impairment and autism: 17 places, 8 pupils on roll.

Priory School had 86 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

The nearest railway station is Lewes Rail Station, about 390 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Priory School (outside), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 127 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in East Sussex (65), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Priory School issued 262 suspensions, 22.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Priory School are Southover CofE Primary School (0.5 miles), Western Road Community Primary School (0.5 miles), South Malling CofE Primary and Nursery School (0.9 miles) and Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School (1.2 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.