Peterhouse School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 April 2026

Pupils arrive to a calm and welcoming school where daily routines are clear and familiar and where staff know them well. This helps pupils feel safe and ready to begin their day. Adults model respectful and patient behaviour, and pupils respond positively, learning to manage interactions with increasing confidence. When pupils feel anxious or unsettled, staff support them well to recognise their emotions. Staff use strategies that help pupils manage their feelings and settle back into learning effectively. Pupils feel that they belong. They form friendships, look after one another and describe the school as consistent and fair. Bullying is very rare, and pupils trust adults to address any concerns promptly and sensitively. This helps pupils feel protected and valued within the school community. Pupils’ attendance shows that they enjoy coming to school. Many pupils attend more regularly than they have in the past, especially those with previous negative experiences of education. Pupils engage positively in learning, particularly where activities are practical and hands-on. Teachers adapt learning carefully so pupils can take part meaningfully. Over time, pupils make progress from the levels they were working at when they joined the school, including in communication, reading, writing and mathematics. This is evident in pupils’ work, classroom learning and nationally recognised qualifications, where appropriate. Pupils value the wider opportunities available to them. Many look forward to residential visits, which they talk about with excitement and pride. These experiences help pupils practise independence, develop confidence and build relationships in unfamiliar settings. Pupils also feel that their views matter. Through the school council, they help shape aspects of school life, including enrichment activities. Pupils recognise that their ideas lead to real changes, which further strengthens their sense of belonging. Students in the post-16 provision describe feeling more confident as they develop independence through travel training, managing money and work-related experiences, helping them feel prepared for what comes next.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to develop teachers' expertise, when using assessments, to check and address misconceptions in pupils’ understanding consistently.

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