Penryn College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 June 2022

Penryn College is a happy and welcoming school. Pupils show a positive attitude to learning and are polite and respectful towards others. Pupils say bullying is rare. Most are confident that leaders act quickly to resolve any incidents that do occur. Penryn is an inclusive school. Pupils spoken to describe how everyone is treated equally and that discrimination is not tolerated. Pupils follow an exciting curriculum with a broad range of different opportunities. Leaders are ambitious for pupils and there is an ethos of 'having a go', without fear of failure. Pupils embrace this challenge, both in and outside of the classroom. Throughout their school journey, pupils are encouraged to think carefully about their next steps and be aspirational for their future. Many pupils attend extra-curricular activities and there are lots of different ones to choose from. These include sailing, gardening, jazz band and board games club. Leaders regularly review this offer to ensure there is something for everyone.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, leaders have not identified clearly exactly what they want pupils to learn. Where this is the case, learning is built around a series of activities designed to interest pupils rather than pinpoint the knowledge it is important for them to remember. Leaders should ensure that the knowledge they want pupils to learn is planned precisely in all subjects.
• Some parents do not feel that the school responds to concerns or queries in a timely and effective manner. This can lead to a breakdown in the partnership between school and home. Leaders should ensure they develop strong channels of communication with parents to allow them to work together effectively.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)