Penair School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Good

St Clement, Truro, TR1 1TNOpen in maps

Penair School is a secondary school in Truro for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 295 schools in Cornwall. It ranks 3rd of 3 secondary schools in Truro. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2017.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 19 April 2017, report published 17 May 2017

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

Read the full Ofsted report

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 March 2023

Penair School has high expectations of its pupils. Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum. Pupils who attend regularly achieve well. There is an inclusive culture at the school. All pupils are encouraged to follow their interests and most pupils enjoy their learning. Nearly all pupils behave well in lessons. Pupils enjoy a well-rounded education. They are proud of the wide range of clubs and activities available to them. The school has a thriving cadet force and many pupils enjoy extra-curricular sports clubs. Pupils are tolerant of each other and their differences. Pupils are encouraged to make their opinions known and teachers work with them to bring about changes when needed. Pupils are well cared for at Penair School. Pastoral care is strong and leaders encourage pupils to report bullying so they can deal with it. Pupils are encouraged to meet teachers' high expectations and many are rewarded for doing so.

What the school should improve

  • Leaders' drive to further improve the quality of education is ongoing. Some subjects are only just implementing their new curriculum plans. There are a few inconsistencies in the way that pupils learn new content and in the way that teachers use assessment to identify gaps in learning. Leaders should continue to refine the curriculum and how it is taught, to ensure all pupils are supported to retain and understand their new learning.

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

232 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score49.1

49.1, 3 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths56%

56%, 10.6 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths70.7%

70.7%, 5.9 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc18.1%

18.1%, 22.4 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.08

4.08, 0.01 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,223 pupils on roll, with places for 1,320

Eligible for free school meals20%

20%, 6.5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language6.1%

6.1%, 15.5 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support19.9%

19.9%, 5.1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.9%

1.9%, 4.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Penair School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Truro School0.7 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 34.1
Polwhele House School1 mileNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Truro High School1 mileNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 46.6
Richard Lander School3 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 51.0
The Roseland Academy6 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 48.3

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
PENAIR SCHOOL
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Headteacher James Davidson
Phone
01872274737
Website
penair.cornwall.sch.uk
Address
St Clement, Truro, TR1 1TN
Local authority
Cornwall
URN
136567

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.