The Priory Church of England Primary School, Christchurch

Ofsted's report card from its 19 May 2026 inspection grades The Priory Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 3 expected standard and 4 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Expected standard. "Children get off to a positive start when they begin in the early years."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "The school has been through a period of turbulence."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's personal development and wellbeing provision prepares pupils well for life beyond school."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Some pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, do not achieve as highly as they should."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Leaders prioritise attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Inconsistencies in teaching mean pupils do not build up their subject knowledge in an incremental way."

Inclusion - Needs attention. "Leaders have made a positive start to improve the provision for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from precise support so that they progress well from their starting points"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers and those with subject oversight strengthen their expertise so that the curriculum is taught well and its impact checked, so that pupils secure the important knowledge and skills they need for their next stage of education"; "Leaders should ensure that assessment is used to identify and address misconceptions and gaps in learning so that pupils build successfully on their previous learning"; "Leaders should ensure that staff implement the school's expectations for behaviour consistently so that pupils understand what is expected of them and behave well".

In its own words: "The Priory School is a one-form entry Church of England Primary School. The school was built in 1867, although its foundations go back to the Sixteenth Century when a grammar school was established in St Michael's Loft of the Priory Church. It is situated in the heart of Christchurch with its main entrance in Wick Lane."

Coming up: an open evening on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 5.30pm and an open day on Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 9.15am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 79% of Year 6 pupils at The Priory Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 66% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 75% in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 90% in reading and 80% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 10 families put The Priory Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 83 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to The Priory Church of England Primary School are St Katharine's Church of England Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 84% reading, 84% maths); Christchurch Infant School (0.6 miles); Christchurch Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 76% reading, 84% maths); and Mudeford Community Infants' School (0.9 miles, Good).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than The Priory Church of England Primary School.

13 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Priory Church of England Primary School (as of April 2026): 92% would recommend the school, 92% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (92%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).

6.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 7.1% 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 (9%).

In 2026, 18 pupils (9.1%) received SEN support and 13 (6.6%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

The Priory Church of England Primary School had 15 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Christchurch Rail Station, about 790 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Town Centre, 250 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 128 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (223).

In 2024/25, The Priory Church of England Primary School issued 2 suspensions, 1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to The Priory Church of England Primary School are Twynham School (0.2 miles), St Peter's Catholic Comprehensive School (0.9 miles) and The Grange School (1.1 miles).