The Priory School Dorking 2020 Prospectus

THE PRIORY SCHOOL
DORKING

Small School : Big Vision
Welcome to The Priory School Church of England school,
where high standards of attainment and behaviour are
expected; where each individual matters; and where
everyone has something special to contribute.
All Priory students are encouraged to explore their talents and
passions, nurtured to exceed all expectations and fully prepared
to realise their potential; educated for life in all its fullness. Our
promise is to:
• Provide a safe and supportive community in which children
thrive;
• Offer a wise curriculum that ensures breadth, balance and
unique opportunities;
• Ensure dignity for every student through provision of choice,
voice and respect;
• Build hope and vision through the pursuit of academic
excellence for all students.
We ensure that students are supported at every turn and that they
feel comfortable, respected, safe and secure in their environment.
From challenge and inspiration in lessons, to a vast range of
different enrichment activities outside of the classroom, we
provide a huge array of opportunities for every child.
Our ultimate aim is for every student to make the most of every
day, to grow in character, confidence and academic success in
preparation for their future.
Mrs J Trimnell
Acting Headteacher

Every Individual Matters
At The Priory School we believe every individual
should be known. Our tutor group and class
sizes are built to ensure that this is possible.
Your child will be with friends that they know from primary school
and will have the opportunity to build new friendships. We offer a
supportive transition programme for those who do not know other
students when they start. These healthy relationships are the bedrock
for effective learning and excellent progress.
Every student at The Priory is a member of a House. We have four
houses: Westminster, Guildford, Canterbury, Coventry. Every student
contributes to their house as they accrue house points in lessons and
as they get involved in extracurricular activities and competitions. The
Houses not only recognise individual student success and engagement
in school life, they also build our school community across year groups
and give us a focus for celebrations at various points across the year.
The colour of a student’s tie is determined by the house that they are
in.
As a specific feature of being a Church School we have a vibrant
chaplaincy that includes BeMe, a charity that has its origins in The
Priory and that now runs courses nationally for girls tackling selfesteem
issues. The chaplaincy team offers well attended weekly clubs
as well as larger annual events including OMG week during which
students have fun ways to grow in community and explore issues of
faith. Every student is welcome to all that the Chaplaincy offers and
many of our students benefit from the one to one support the team is
able to offer.

”
Teachers’ high expectations and clear
explanations make very clear to pupils
what is expected of them. Pupils are
challenged to think hard and enjoy the
opportunity to use their initiative and work
collaboratively.
OFSTED REPORT 2019
”

”“
The Priory School has
astounded us with the
extensive assistance and
support given to our children.
“
PRIORY PARENTS

Achieve the very best
Aspiration is a key component of success.
Our students are expected to aim high.
Every student is supported on their
learning journey to achieve the very
best outcomes in everything that they
do, including their academic results.
But ultimately success lies in the
hands of each individual and at The
Priory we help our students to build
the character and skills that they will
need in order to gain the best possible
GCSE and A-Level results.
Student progress is tracked against
prior performance at Key Stage 2 and
in year attainment. Every student is
set an aspirational progress pathway
at the end of the first term of Year
7. Teachers then track, monitor and
liaise with the students to
ensure that they are striving
to achieve their best and
that they have everything
they need to continue
to make progress. When
students reach Year 9
and have to choose what
GCSEs they want to study,
we allow them free
choice, knowing that
by studying what they
are passionate about will feed their
success.
Priory parents play a vital role in their
child’s education. There are several
events held at school that we expect
parents to participate in;
• Meet the tutor evening for year 7
This is an opportunity to discuss how
your child has settled in their first
half term and to receive some initial
feedback on your child’s learning.
• Parents evenings once a year
One to one appointments with
subject teachers provide you with
specific feedback on your child’s
progress and guidance on what their
next steps in their learning need to be.
• Leading Learners Evenings
An evening for parents and students
to attend together and develop a
better understanding of effective
learning and how this can be
continued and supported at home.

Outstanding
facilities
The facilities that we have available at
The Priory are second to none.
Our indoor pool, Sports Dome, Music suite, dedicated
Performing Arts block, Dance studio, significant sports
fields, and well equipped Science labs allow us to provide
not just excellent lessons but a dynamic programme of
extra-curricular activities.
We are able to offer a diversity of opportunities that really
are unique to The Priory. These include the opportunity
to;
• Study Physics, Chemistry and Biology as
separate Sciences at GCSE
• Have swimming lessons each year as part of
your PE lessons
• Join one of our two Green Power Racing car
teams that compete Nationally
• Perform live music to an audience every term
• Make on site high quality recordings of
musical performances
• Join The Priory Horse riding team
• Work with the East Afrian Playground charity
and build a playground in Uganda

Enrichment
Opportunities
Our enrichment opportunities provide
the chance for our pupils to further
prepare for life in all its fullness.
There is a broad and varied abundance of clubs, visits, trips
and events at The Priory. Furthermore, due to the amount of
places available the majority of the school can take part. We
have compiled a list below of what we offer. Whilst this is an
example of our current provision staff are always willing to
start new clubs if there is interest from our students.
Sports clubs
Netball, Football, Badminton, Rugby, Swimming,
Trampolining, Cricket, Rounders, Athletics, Zumba, Darts,
Chess, The Priory Riding Team
Sports opportunities
Gym and dance Show
Ski trip to Wagrain in Austria
Twickenham visit for the Six Nations rugby match
Educational trips and outreach projects
The Duke of Edinburgh Award (Gold, Silver and Bronze)
Educational field trips to: Denbies, Ikea, Design Museum,
The Olympic Park, Wales, West End Shows, Foreign
Exchange trips, Bi annual East African Playgrounds Trip,
Prayer spaces week, Greenpower inspiring engineers events
(This year both our cars have made the international final
and will be competing at Silverstone.)

”
Pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum, which is enhanced by well-planned
spiritual, moral, social and cultural provision. Christian values are well promoted,
and pupils regularly discuss topical local and national issues. Pupils also benefit from
many after-school clubs and activities, as well as the school’s strong commitment to
the performing arts and practical subjects, such as design technology.
OFSTED REPORT 2019
”

Music
Youth Voice Choir, Rock band, Jazz band,
African drumming class and guitar club.
Students perform at: School concerts, Assemblies,
The school’s annual production, Afternoons of music,
Christmas carol service, The Dorking Christmas gala,
Mole Valley Youth Awards Evening.
Dance, Drama and Art
Drama club, School Production, Poetry club, Textile
club, Lego club,
Opportunity to perform on the professional stage at
the annual dance showcase at The Harlequin Theatre,
Redhill.
Volunteering and Charity
Mole Valley swimarathon, Young Carers Support
Club, Bi annual whole School Sponsored Walk,
Leadership at primary school transition sport
sessions, Participation in the school’s RAG week, A21
group
Academic
Reading club, Computing and robotics club,
CyberFrirst Y8 Girls Competition, CyberDiscovery
Competition, Kodu Kup (2021)
Junior, Intermediate and Senior Maths Challenge
ReadingZone festival, Book Week activities,
Greenpower club, School Council

A school that grows
with you
P6 is the Priory 6th Form and it continues to
offer the hallmark personalised education of the
main school.
In P6 students continue to grow
and flourish, building upon their
excellent relationships with their
teachers, losing no time getting
to grips with the challenges of
either A Level or BTEC courses.
The outstanding results from P6
are a testament to the benefits
of remaining part of the Priory
community for KS5 study.
P6 is not separate from the main
school but is very much part of
leading the school community
whether through the annual RAG
week, academic and pastoral peer
mentoring with KS3 and 4 students,
or through the work of our two
head students.
Having senior students on site
is a real benefit for our younger
students. They provide excellent
role models and give a real and
present reminder of what is
possible through hard work and
aspiration. All sixth form students
undertake volunteering within
school as a way of developing their
communication, team working
and leadership skills. We also
offer the opportunity for students
to complete the Gold Duke of
Edinburgh award while studying
with us.
In addition to our own provision,
we have partnered with Dorking
Wanderers Football Academy as
their A Level provider which allows
students who wish to, to study at
the highest academic level with
us alongside training and playing
at a nationally recognised football
academy.

“
Teachers have high expectations and know the
students very well. Consequently, work is very well
matched to students’ needs and they receive very
timely and helpful feedback and support.
“
OFSTED REPORT 2019 (SIXTH FORM)