Image of IN MEMORY OF:  Mrs Fenwick (Sylvia)
2 March 2026

IN MEMORY OF:  Mrs Fenwick (Sylvia)

Mrs Fenwick - SCIENCE 1959-1962 & 1970s-1999

Image of Former Pupil Officially Opens ‘The Nest’ - A Hub for SEND and Emotional Support
15 October 2025

Former Pupil Officially Opens ‘The Nest’ - A Hub for SEND and Emotional Support

Class of 2025 Daniel returned to officially open our new SEND and Well-Being facility, the Nest.

Image of Class of 2025 Leaver Secures Apprenticeship and  National Award
27 September 2025

Class of 2025 Leaver Secures Apprenticeship and  National Award

We were delighted to hear from Umar who shared some fantastic news about his next steps since leaving Priory.

Image of In Memory Of - Mrs Kate Rhodes 1971-2004
13 September 2025

In Memory Of - Mrs Kate Rhodes 1971-2004

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to former teacher Kate Rhodes who spent more than 30 years at Priory as a PE teacher and Head of Year.

Image of Head Girls of the Past Return to Welcome Priory’s New Head Prefects
13 September 2025

Head Girls of the Past Return to Welcome Priory’s New Head Prefects

1995 Head Girl Heather Taylor and 2005 Head Girl Hannah Humphris returned to Priory to welcome our current Head Prefects into their roles.

Image of Class of 2001 Priory Uniform
21 July 2025

Class of 2001 Priory Uniform

Look what turned up during a recent loft clear-out - original Priory uniform and planners from 2001! 

Image of From Paintbrushes to Pastry – A Fond Farewell to Mrs Cowell
17 July 2025

From Paintbrushes to Pastry – A Fond Farewell to Mrs Cowell

After 24 years’ service Vice Principal, Mrs Cowell is hanging up her paint brushes and apron, and retiring.

Image of Class of 2025: The Prom 
27 June 2025

Class of 2025: The Prom 

This year group certainly knew how to celebrate their Penwortham Priory Academy finale in style!

Image of After Five Years, We Bid Farewell to Priory’s Year 11s
20 June 2025

After Five Years, We Bid Farewell to Priory’s Year 11s

Monday marked an emotional milestone as our Year 11 pupils spent their final day together at Priory.

Image of From Priory to the Olympics: Susan Cheesebrough’s Inspiring Return
17 March 2025

From Priory to the Olympics: Susan Cheesebrough’s Inspiring Return

We had the absolute privilege of welcoming back former pupil and Olympic gymnast, Susan Cheesebrough, to Priory along with her Class of 1976 classmates and PE teacher.

Image of Alumni: Lewis Tabarn & India Pilkington (Class of 2024)
21 February 2025

Alumni: Lewis Tabarn & India Pilkington (Class of 2024)

We’re shining a spotlight on Lewis and India, who joined an inspiring theatrical project in Blackpool after moving on from Priory last summer.

Image of Now and then - From Art to The Bistro
14 February 2025

Now and then - From Art to The Bistro

We’re continuously developing our facilities at Priory to create inspiring learning spaces for our current and future generations of pupils.

Image of Meet the teacher - Miss Gregson, ICT & Computing
6 February 2025

Meet the teacher - Miss Gregson, ICT & Computing

Miss Gregson is a former Priory pupil and now is a teacher here, looking to transform lives as Mr Watters changed hers!

Image of Alumni returns to give Oxbridge talk to Priory’s Able and Ambitious pupils
30 January 2025

Alumni returns to give Oxbridge talk to Priory’s Able and Ambitious pupils

Class of 2017 Abi Lakeland was the first in her family to go to university and came back to Priory to talk her experiences at Cambridge.

Image of Priory's new food service outlet is officially opened by former teacher
14 December 2024

Priory's new food service outlet is officially opened by former teacher

Priory’s Pod, our newest catering facility, has officially opened for pupils and the community.

Image of Statement from the Principal - Patrick Brian (Sawicki)
12 December 2024

Statement from the Principal - Patrick Brian (Sawicki)

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Patrick Brian, a former pupil of our school.

Image of Alumni - Class of 1990-1999
1 December 2024

Alumni - Class of 1990-1999

The Lancashire Evening Post has shared 25 photos from the decade on their social media.

Image of In memory of: Adam Bodi (Class of 2024)
29 October 2024

In memory of: Adam Bodi (Class of 2024)

A water hand pump has been installed in a deprived area of Pakistan in memory of former pupil Adam Bodi.

Image of Alumni - Susan Cheesebrough (Class of 1976)
3 October 2024

Alumni - Susan Cheesebrough (Class of 1976)

Susan made it to the Olympics in 1976 and 1980, and even appeared in the original series of the Gladiators .

Image of Statement from the Principal - Umar Mahmood
13 September 2024

Statement from the Principal - Umar Mahmood

In memory of Umar. We are again saddened as a school to hear the news that Umar Mahmood, who was in the same accident as Adam, and who left Priory 2 years ago, has also passed away.

Image of Statement from the Principal - Adam Bodi
12 September 2024

Statement from the Principal - Adam Bodi

In memory of Adam. Adam was a fantastic young man, and he, his family and friends are very much in our thoughts and prayers.

Image of Meet your Head Prefect team 2024-25
11 September 2024

Meet your Head Prefect team 2024-25

Our 1974 Head Boy Geoff Rowbotham came back to Priory to welcome in the new Head Prefects and give a few words of advice.

Image of Alumni - Josh Traynor (Class of 2018)
29 August 2024

Alumni - Josh Traynor (Class of 2018)

Josh, who left Priory six years ago, has won the pool U23 World Championships.

Image of Class of 2024 - The Prom
9 July 2024

Class of 2024 - The Prom

Class of 2024 didn't let election fever overshadow their big night when both events clashed last Thursday.

Image of Alumni returns for coffee, pastries and reminiscence
3 July 2024

Alumni returns for coffee, pastries and reminiscence

We held our Alumni Coffee Morning and it was lovely to watch as some former pupils were reunited their ‘old’ school friends.

Image of Class of 2022: Rhianne Leach
3 July 2024

Class of 2022: Rhianne Leach

Class of 2022 pupil Rhianne Leach has won a place on the prestigious BAE Systems’ Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Programme.

Image of Class of 2022: Hannah Yates
3 July 2024

Class of 2022: Hannah Yates

Class of 2022 pupil Hannah Yates has thanked Priory for helping her pursue her dream career in Japanese.

Image of Alumni - Morgan Hompson Smith (Class of 2014)
16 June 2024

Alumni - Morgan Hompson Smith (Class of 2014)

Footballer, Morgan, has been signed by Bury FC.

Image of 70th anniversary photo now available to buy
3 June 2024

70th anniversary photo now available to buy

Penwortham Priory Academy's 70th anniversary whole school group photograph is available to view and order online.

Image of Whole school photo - it happened at last!
18 May 2024

Whole school photo - it happened at last!

The shoot, which was originally meant to take place last Summer, was arranged to commemorate the school's 70th anniversary.  

Image of Year 10 receive careers support from National Grid
30 April 2024

Year 10 receive careers support from National Grid

The National Grid came into school to talk to Year 10 pupils about covering letters, CVs and interviews from the view of an employer.

Image of Alumni round up - February 2024
2 March 2024

Alumni round up - February 2024

Class of 2006 Jordan North, Class of 2012 Ed Duckworth, Class of 2019 Mohammed Ali.

Image of Alumni - James Walsh (Class of 2006)
1 December 2023

Alumni - James Walsh (Class of 2006)

Mr Walsh has turned from a Priory pupil into a Priory teacher – and loves it! 

Image of Mrs Simpson's Long Service Award Takes Her Back To Former Pupil
31 October 2023

Mrs Simpson's Long Service Award Takes Her Back To Former Pupil

Mrs Simpson was bowled over by her long service award – as it was a necklace made in the design of a bowler hat - which was made by a former Priory pupil.

Image of Priory raises money to support local special needs centre
16 October 2023

Priory raises money to support local special needs centre

Learning Support Assistant Mrs Whalley has raised £150 for a cause close to Priory, the Space Centre. 

Image of Class of 1970 go back to school for anniversary celebrations
3 October 2023

Class of 1970 go back to school for anniversary celebrations

Former Head Girl Janet Edwards and Sports Captain John Bennett, the Class of 1970, visited Priory as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations as well as to meet the new Head Prefects.

Image of Happy anniversary Priory
11 September 2023

Happy anniversary Priory

70 years ago Penwortham County Secondary School, as it was known then, welcomed its first full cohort of pupils.

Image of Alumni: Class of 1995-1999
11 September 2023

Alumni: Class of 1995-1999

Thanks to the Lancashire Evening Post, quite a few blasts from the past have cropped up over the summer break.

Image of Mr Watters to retire after 29 years at Priory
6 July 2023

Mr Watters to retire after 29 years at Priory

Lead Geography teacher Mr Watters, one of Priory’s longest serving members of staff, will leave at the end of this term after 29 years at Priory

Image of 70th Anniversary Celebration Event
4 July 2023

70th Anniversary Celebration Event

A chance comment by one of our Class of 1953 led to a fantastic 70 years of Priory reunion in the Rose Garden. 

Image of 70th Anniversary - Keeping it in the Family
21 February 2023

70th Anniversary - Keeping it in the Family

Priory proudly celebrates its 70th anniversary this year and we have been digging through our archives to look at how the school has changed since 1953.

Image of Priory Welcomes South Ribble MP
10 February 2023

Priory Welcomes South Ribble MP

When the House of Commons came to Priory as the MP for South RIbble visits the school.

Image of Alumni: Mrs Wragg memorial and family visit
12 January 2023

Alumni: Mrs Wragg memorial and family visit

On Wednesday we welcomed two special visitors to Penwortham Priory Academy.

Image of Alumni: Class of 2003
28 November 2022

Alumni: Class of 2003

Why don't we do these anymore? Class of 2003: A vintage year!

Image of Alumni: Jemma Oliver (Class of 1997)
11 November 2022

Alumni: Jemma Oliver (Class of 1997)

Former Priory pupil Jemma Oliver has travelled the world but is now giving back to the community of Penwortham.

Image of Former pupils return for further maths
10 October 2022

Former pupils return for further maths

LuSoM deliver a talk to top set maths along with former pupils Jack and James.

Image of Priory's first head prefects head back to school
4 October 2022

Priory's first head prefects head back to school

Priory’s first Head Boy and Girl were reunited after almost 66 years apart and had the chance to meet the incumbents of the posts.

Image of Class of 2017: Annie Hargreaves
1 July 2022

Class of 2017: Annie Hargreaves

This week we welcomed back our Head Girl from Class of 2017.

Image of When the past came back to Priory
19 June 2022

When the past came back to Priory

It was back to school for Priory’s first ever Head Girl and her conclusion on the new-look Priory was ‘it’s amazing’. 

Image of Alumni leading the way at Institute of Physics event
19 May 2022

Alumni leading the way at Institute of Physics event

Priory's alumni were leading the way at the Institute of Physics conference in London

Image of Meet the teacher - Mr Cox
16 May 2022

Meet the teacher - Mr Cox

Mr Cox used to be a pupil at Priory and he says the school is 'unrecognisable' from his early days after returning as a Science teacher earlier this year.

Image of MFL German - Welcome back Mr Warham
16 May 2022

MFL German - Welcome back Mr Warham

Did you know that we also offer GCSE examinations in other foreign languages at Priory?

Image of Alumni: Megan & Olivia Grant (Class of 2016)
2 February 2022

Alumni: Megan & Olivia Grant (Class of 2016)

Happy birthday to 22-year-old Penwortham Priory Academy twins whose birthday was 02-02-22.

Image of Headteacher's Log - 28 January 1953
28 January 2022

Headteacher's Log - 28 January 1953

History teacher Mr Eccles has revelled in the daily journals to find 'picks' which we will find amusing to read today. How things have changed!

Image of Alumni: Sonia Taylor (Class of 1955)
24 January 2022

Alumni: Sonia Taylor (Class of 1955)

We're really excited to be in touch with the daughter of one of our very first Head Girls.

Image of Libby receives Team GB call up
23 November 2021

Libby receives Team GB call up

Class of 2020, pupil, Libby, admitted she almost quit synchronised swimming – but now she has received a call up to the GB World and European squad. 

Image of Tree planted in memory of former teacher
17 November 2021

Tree planted in memory of former teacher

A tree has been planted in the Priory garden in memory of former teacher, Jean Wragg.

Image of In memory of...Jack Milner (Class of 2009)
15 November 2021

In memory of...Jack Milner (Class of 2009)

We were saddened to be informed that Jack passed away suddenly on 23 October, aged 28.

Image of Class of 2021 Celebration Evening & GCSE Certificate Collection
1 November 2021

Class of 2021 Celebration Evening & GCSE Certificate Collection

Sadly, due to the rising Covid cases it is not sensible for us to run an ‘in-person’ Celebration Evening this year.

Image of Alumni - Andy Kolacz (Class of 1990)
5 October 2021

Alumni - Andy Kolacz (Class of 1990)

Former pupils have a habit of returning to Priory as staff – and Site Supervisor Andy Kolacz is the latest!

Image of In memory of Mrs Wragg - Strive for the highest
19 May 2021

In memory of Mrs Wragg - Strive for the highest

Penwortham Priory Academy will introduce the Jean Wragg ‘Strive for the Highest’ award in memory of former English teacher and Head of Year who died recently.

Image of Class of 1989 - the staff
13 May 2021

Class of 1989 - the staff

This photo was kindly sent to us this week by former English teacher, Mr Hunter.

Image of Alumni - Carl Walkden (Class of 2009)
13 April 2021

Alumni - Carl Walkden (Class of 2009)

Carl left Priory in 2009 and an early enthusiasm for PE led to him to an education in sports, followed by a career in the Army.

Image of Alumni - Louise Hawkins (Class of 2010)
15 December 2020

Alumni - Louise Hawkins (Class of 2010)

Whilst at Priory, Louise took part in an experimental education programme and recently her mum got in touch to update us with how things have turned out since she left us a decade ago.

Image of Alumni - Harry Coyne (Class of 2020)
27 November 2020

Alumni - Harry Coyne (Class of 2020)

Former Priory pupil Harry has left home at 16 to pursue his dream of being an American Footballer and also to follow his love of sports journalism.

Image of Alumni - Jordan North - I'm a Celebrity
15 November 2020

Alumni - Jordan North - I'm a Celebrity

Whilst many of you will be tuning in to watch I'm a Celebrity on Sunday night, please look out for one of its stars in particular - former Priory pupil, Jordan North.

Image of Alumni - Ed Duckworth (Class of 2012)
8 October 2020

Alumni - Ed Duckworth (Class of 2012)

Ed was the 4th official at last night's televised Women's FA Cup semi final match.

Image of In memory of...Daniel Appleby (Class of 2002)
1 October 2020

In memory of...Daniel Appleby (Class of 2002)

The family of Daniel Appleby have brought in this year’s plaque which will be presented to a pupil for friendship and kindness.