Penryn College
Penryn, TR10 8PZ · Cornwall · secondary school
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8th of 31 secondary schools in Cornwall we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 5.6/10 against 885 of them, against 5.9/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.83 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 48.7 · 60 | 30% | 1.79 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.14 · 60 | 25% | 1.50 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.8 · 54 | 10% | 0.55 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Penryn College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 48.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.2, compared with the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.14 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (6.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2022.
Beyond the classroom
The school offers instrumental lessons.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,140 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
Since the last inspection was in 2022, what specific improvements have been made to the curriculum since then? How does the school support pupils in accessing the instrumental lessons provided?
What Ofsted said about Penryn College
Overview
Penryn College is described as a "happy and welcoming school" where pupils demonstrate a "positive attitude to learning" and are "polite and respectful". The report confirms that the school continues to be good, highlighting an inclusive ethos where discrimination is not tolerated and staff feel valued.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well planned and sequenced" with clear learning pathways that help pupils connect prior knowledge to new topics.
- There is an "effective phonics programme" and dedicated time for reading, alongside a broad range of extra-curricular activities such as sailing and jazz band.
- The Area Resource Base for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is "at the heart of the school", with staff who "know the individual needs of the pupils well".
- Behaviour is "calm and orderly", and bullying is reported as rare, with leaders acting quickly to resolve incidents.
- Staff well-being is a priority, with leaders supporting a "manageable workload", resulting in staff feeling "valued".
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, curriculum planning is "not detailed enough", meaning it is unclear what specific knowledge pupils need to remember; leaders must ensure knowledge is "planned precisely".
- Some parents feel the school does not respond to concerns "in a timely and effective manner"; leaders should develop "strong channels of communication" to improve the partnership between school and home.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are "effective", with staff receiving regular training, being "vigilant about reporting any concerns", and maintaining strong relationships with pupils.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.7 |
| 2024/25 | 49.2 |
| 2025/26 | 46.8 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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