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catchment.school

Priory School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Priory School is an academy special converter not applicable school in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk , serving pupils aged 5-19, with 224 pupils, and a capacity of 204 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

5-19

Age range

224

Pupils

204

Capacity

110%

Fill rate

Outstanding

Ofsted 2014

Priory School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Priory School?

The catchment area for Priory School is the geographic zone Suffolk uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Suffolk publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Priory School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Suffolk. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Currently oversubscribed: 224 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 204 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Suffolk publishes the 2027 Priory School numbers →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Suffolk before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Suffolk catchment area documents →

Priory School: heavily oversubscribed at 110% capacity

Priory School has a published admission number of 204 places. 224 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 110%. At 110% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Suffolk allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. Living within the catchment area is a strong but not guaranteed advantage, as the last distance offered shrinks each year as applications rise.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 48.6% of pupils at Priory School are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Bury St Edmunds.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Suffolk publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Suffolk Council school admissions (official) →

Priory School: School Information

Full address
Mount Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7BH
Local authority
Suffolk
School type
Academy special converter
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
5-19 years
Free school meals
48.6% of pupils
DfE URN
137433

Other Not applicable Schools in Bury St Edmunds

If Priory School is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Bury St Edmunds are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Priory School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Priory School

What is the catchment area for Priory School?

The catchment area for Priory School is the geographic zone Suffolk uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Suffolk publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Priory School oversubscribed?

Yes, Priory School currently has 224 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 204 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Priory School?

Admission to Priory School is managed by Suffolk. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Priory School cover?

Priory School is a not applicable school in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, serving pupils aged 5-19. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Priory School?

Priory School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2014. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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