About
Our School
The Priory School is a one-form entry Church of England Primary School.
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The school was built in 1867, although its foundations go back to the Sixteenth Century when a grammar school was established in St Michael’s Loft of the Priory Church. It is situated in the heart of Christchurch with its main entrance in Wick Lane. It was granted Voluntary Aided status under the 1944 Education Act, which enables it to remain faithful to its Church of England foundation.
We are one of the smallest primary schools in BCP Council and, as a consequence, there is an intimate family feel to our school. We are able to encourage and celebrate the talents of all our pupils, to enable all to flourish regardless of starting points.
Headteacher’s Welcome
“To teach feels like you are the guardian of time itself, protecting the future happiness of the world via the minds that are yet to shape it.”
― Matt Haig, How to Stop Time
A very warm welcome to the Priory School, set in the heart of Christchurch and having served children and families of the local community for over 150 years. Through our core values of love, forgiveness, respect and aspiration, we
feel truly privileged to be shaping the hearts and minds of tomorrow’s adults.
I am immensely proud to be the headteacher of this fantastic school, where positive relationships play such an important role in ensuring that all of our pupils achieve and thrive. Being a small school, we are distinctive in that as a staff, we know each and every pupil. We want your child to be able to go in whichever direction they choose, to ‘find their thing’ and experience a feeling of fulfilment and purpose. We will do whatever it takes to ensure your child achieves their potential by valuing the worth of each unique individual.
As a Church of England school, spirituality is at the heart of each day and allows all children to fully understand themselves and how they connect with others. We cherish our partnership with the wonderful Priory Church, a setting which provides our pupils with an inspirational setting for school services and the expertise of the Priory clergy, who lead a collective worship at school each week.
Our incredible staff team strives each and every day to care for your children and ensure that school is a safe, supportive and nurturing environment, whilst also working to promote an experience of challenge - when new learning requires resilience, teamwork and accepting that mistakes are all
part of the process.
We ensure that through quality first teaching, all children can access the learning in our classrooms. Our carefully-sequenced curriculum is ambitious, coherent and engaging - please do read about it here on our website. We promote hands-on learning and real-life experiences to ensure the most enriching childhood possible for our young learners. By focusing on children's wellbeing, through nurture and emotional sensitivity, we see them flourish.
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It is a privilege to be the Headteacher of such a vibrant, successful, and friendly school. If you would like to visit or find out more, please do get in touch via the school office.
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Simon Croutear
Headteacher
Our Vision
'Inspiring a generation to learn, flourish and achieve in a caring, Christian community.'
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Inspiring: Each child, uniquely made in the image of God, has a spark of greatness. We want to be a school that breathes life into children, so that they achieve their dreams and God-given potential.
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Learn: Life is rich and complex – there is always more to explore and discover. We want our school community to develop a deep and life-long love of learning. We aspire to share the very best of what has been thought and said, across continents and cultures.
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"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things." Philippians 4:9
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Flourish: We want to deliver a rounded education, educating the heart as well as the head. We want to celebrate those who excel at sport and the arts and friendship, as well as our authors and scientists and mathematicians.
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"I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." John 10:10
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Achieve: We want all the children, no matter their starting points, to feel confident and ready for the next stage in their education. As a fully inclusive school, we are passionate about wanting all children to achieve their full potential and be proud of who they are.
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"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
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Caring, Christian Community: One of the distinguishing marks of the Priory School is our caring community. Visitors often remark on the ‘family’ feel of the school. Staff genuinely know, care for and protect each child. Being a community, we recognise that it takes all of us to support a child. As a Church of England school for over 150 years, our Christian heritage and ethos is part of our DNA. We welcome families of all faiths and none to become part of our school family as our intention is to serve the common good. We also recognise the important role that Christianity plays in shaping our school culture and calendar.
Our Vision Picture
Our Values
Love
This means that we always put the welfare of our children first and we encourage everyone in our school community to be ‘more kind than is necessary’, as Auggie in ‘Wonder’ so helpfully put it.
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"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 14:4-8
Forgiveness
There are consequences for wrong actions and we need to learn from our mistakes, but we also move on from them. Holding grudges only makes life more miserable. Saying sorry is important. Accepting an apology is important. Every day is a fresh start.
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"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
Respect
We think and act in a way that shows we care for the well-being of others. We think and act in a positive way about ourselves. We take pride in our work, our appearance and our school. We treat people who are different to us with respect.
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"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." Matthew 7:12
Aspiration
There is a spark of greatness inside every one of us. We strive for high standards and have high expectations in all that we do.
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"May He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed." Psalms 20:4
