Priory Community School
| Priory Community School Academy Trust | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
Queensway , England | |
| Information | |
| Type | Academy |
| Motto | Students First |
| Established | 1975 |
| Department for Education URN | 137300 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Principal | Neville Coles |
| Age | 11 to 16 |
| Enrollment | 1,230 (2013) |
| Website | http://www.priory.n-somerset.sch.uk |
Priory Community School - an Academy Trust, often shortened to PCSA, is a school in Worle, a suburb of Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset, England. The school is an Academy, and had 1,240 students aged 11 to 16 - September 2013
Ofsted rated the school as, 'good with many outstanding features' in July 2010. Due to excellent results OFSTED have delayed their next inspection until summer term 2014.
GCSE Results 2013 - 75% 5AC with EM - highest performing school in North Somerset. 2nd time in a row top in North Somerset. PCSA with 75% 5AC with EM was 3rd across all North Somerset and Somerset schools - 30 in total. 20% of Year 11 got an A or an A* in English - 2013 results.
In 2012, PCSA became the top performing school in North Somerset with 70% 5AC with English and maths. DfE wrote a letter to the school in 2012 saying it was 23rd in the UK for 'sustained improvement' - 5,000 schools. The SSAT wrote saying the school was in top 10% nationally. The certificate is displayed at the school.
2010 Ofsted grades included four Grade 1s ( top grade - outstanding). Amongst the grade 1s were: behaviour, care, guidance, support and safety. 20 'good' grades were also given in the July 2010 inspection.
Priory Pre-School is owned and operated by PCSA on site.
PCSA has a trading company PCSE - PCS Enterprises.
The Principal is Neville Coles (BA MA) - a graduate of Loughborough University (1984-1988) - an Arsenal fan.
The school had 332 first choices for its 240 places in 2013. In 2013 the school increased its PAN to 256. It received 314 first choice applications for its 256 places for 2014 entry.
The school promotes helping the community, which was demonstrated in 2014 when students created feature-film "Obscurity", raising over £150 for charity.
Exam results
2013 - 75% 5AC with EM Maths 80% C+ and English 81% C+
In 2012, 70% achieved five or more A* to C passes including English and Mathematics, and 88% achieved five passes on all subjects. English C+ passes were 82%, maths were 78%.
In 2011, 69% of GCSE students got five A* to C grades with English and Maths - up 15%. 83% got five A* to C grades in any subject - up 4% English was at 84%. Maths at 72%. Science was at 89%.
Priory converted to an Academy Trust on 17 August 2011.
History and future developments
The school was founded in September 1975, and moved to a purpose-built site during autumn 1977. During the 1980s, the school ran an unusual timetable, blocking an entire half-year to take the same subject at the same time. This allowed both setting and mixed-ability teaching in the same subject. This timetable management was the subject of an Open University module and television programme.[1]
Priory gained Technology College status in 1998. During 2006, a £7 million extension and refurbishment scheme saw the school move into a new main block, secure a humanities block extension, and a new sixth form block. It gained an Academy status in August 2012.
Neville Coles was appointed Principal in September 2007 upon the retirement of Ron Richards. He was formerly the Deputy Head / Director of Learning from 2002–2007 in a period of great improvement and change for the school. Results improved by 25% in the 2002–2007 five-year period — they continue to rise with the school achieving 84% in 2011. A three-year upper school is in place. PCS became a Trust School in 2009 and an Academy in 2011. A new building program of £8million was completed in 2007.
In 2012 the school was granted £1.4million to develop a new SEN Centre - Academy funding. In 2013 the school was granted another £1.3million to create a Priory Sports Village - Academy funding.
Head teachers / Principals
- Arthur Spencer: 1976–1985
- David Dennis: 1985–2000
- Paul MacIntyre: 2000–2003
- Ron Richards: 2003–2007
- Neville Coles: since 2007
References
- ^ "Priory School Open University programme". BFI Film & TV Database. Retrieved 2007-02-19.