| Motto | Students First |
|---|---|
| Established | 1975 |
| Type | Academy |
| Principal | Neville Coles |
| Location | Queensway Worle North Somerset England |
| DfE URN | 137300 |
| Students | 1,200 |
| Ages | 11–16 |
| Website | www.priory.n-somerset.sch.uk |
Priory Community School, often shortened to PCSA, is a school in Worle, a suburb of Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset, England. The school is an Academy for pupils aged 11 to 16.
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There are 1,210 students on roll. Ofsted rated the school as, 'good with many outstanding features' in July 2010. Grades 1 (outstanding) were given for behaviour, care, guidance and 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. The Principal is former West of England teacher of the year - Neville Coles. Mr Coles is a keen sportsman and Loughborough PE graduate.
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%.
These 2011 results placed the school in the nation's top 10% and well ahead of all other Weston schools. PCSA was just 0.6% behind North Somerset Schools at Backwell and Gordano as North Somerset's top state schools. It was 11% above Churchill.
Priory converted to an Academy Trust on 17 August 2011.
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.
Neville Coles was appointed Head / Principal from September 2007 upon the retirement of Ron Richards. He was a National Teaching Award Finalist (2007) and is an advocate of new technologies and 21st century learning. 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.