Priory School

Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and set in seven acres of space in Bury St Edmunds, Priory School specialises in supporting young people with Moderate Learning Difficulties aged 5-18.

Our deeply committed staff are dedicated to our young people, and when combined with our tailored curriculum, Priory School provides an environment that supports each child and young person in reaching their full potential when they continue their life journey after they leave us.

With an average class size of 10-15 students with a teacher and a member of support staff and only 25 places available in each year group, our learning environment creates a space where students feel supported, cared for and valued.

School Information

Number of places and age range
Priory has 214 places ages 5-18

The primary need that the school / provision caters for
☐ Communication and interaction -no
Cognition and Learning
☐ MLD – YES, Priory is a school for young people with the Primary need of Moderate Learning Difficulties.
☐ SLD
☐ PMLD – no
☐ Sensory and Physical – no
☐ Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) – no

Do students need to have “average” cognition?
No at Priory we would expect young people to have lower than average cognition as part of their Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD)

Average class size and staffing model
At Keystages one and two we aim to have class sizes of 10. There is a teacher and a member of support staff.

At keystages three and four the maximum class size is 12, but more usually 12. There is a teacher and a member of support staff.

At keystage 5 (6th form) class sizes are 9-15 with a teacher and a member of support staff.

Brief description of the curriculum offer
At Priory we are mainly delivering the red curriculum pathway, we offer support on the green pathway and extend students on the yellow pathway. For more information on the pathways please see here.

At Key stage one and two most of the lessons are class based.

At Key stage three, four and five most students will move between teachers for different subjects. Students on the green pathway will have more lessons with their class teacher.

Specialist spaces at the school / provision
☐ Swimming pool – no unfortunately we do not have a swimming pool on site. we do access the Abbeycroft leisure pool
☐ Sensory room (s), yes we have one sensory room at Priory
☐ other please give details. We are set in 7 acres of space and have good outside space.
The average number of places available each year
At Priory we usually expect to have about 25 places mainly from students leaving at year 11, year 12 or year 13

How can a school tour be booked.
For SEND schools the dates of tours and booking information is on this page.

Other Information and links
Priory School SEND Information Report – Please click here

Priory Aspire, Priory at Thurston (P@T), Mount Road and Angel Hill College have different profiles of student need.

Campus schools

What we strive for

Our vision is to develop well-rounded individuals who can go forward into their adult lives prepared for the work environment and capable of being independent and productive citizens.

We believe that high quality education is best achieved when the needs of each individual pupil – social, emotional, spiritual and educational – are paramount. Through focusing on pupils as individuals, we tailor challenging and enjoyable educational programmes to directly meet their needs.

We work with each student and their parents and carers to understand, and work to overcome, their particular barriers to learning so they can achieve their full potential within a secure and caring environment.