The Priory Church of England School, Dorking

In its own words: "The Priory School is an Academy comprehensive co-educational day school for students aged 11-16. We are led by our ethos; that each and every student should feel valued, be recognised for their contributions and achievements in our community, and be supported toward fulfilling their absolute potential. Our teachers are committed to helping students progress and thrive."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to be able to offer a warm welcome to our school, situated in the heart of the Surrey Hills. All Priory students are encouraged to explore their talents and passions, nurtured to exceed all expectations and fully prepared to realise their potential; building success together."

In 2026, pupils at The Priory Church of England School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.9, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 50.8 in Surrey and 47 across England.

32% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 54% in Surrey and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 40.1.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 31.4, against 42.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 10.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 20 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 61 families put The Priory Church of England School as their first choice and 239 named it as one of their preferences, for 104 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 secondary schools to The Priory Church of England School are The Ashcombe School (1 mile, Good, Attainment 8 55.2); and Howard of Effingham School (4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 56.7).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than The Priory Church of England School.

The Priory Church of England School is one of 6 schools run by Enlighten Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 107 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 79% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 34% to a further education college, 6% to an apprenticeship and 5% into work.

5.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 57 pupils (9.5%) received SEN support and 50 (8.4%) 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 autism.

The nearest railway station is Dorking West Rail Station, about 1030 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Priory School (near), 210 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood The Priory Church of England School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, The Priory Church of England School issued 150 suspensions, 22.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to The Priory Church of England School are Powell Corderoy Primary School (0.2 miles), St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (0.3 miles), St Paul's CofE Primary School (0.6 miles) and St Martin's CofE Primary School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.