SchoolScoresPenair School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of PENAIR SCHOOL
St Clement, Truro, TR1 1TN
01872 274737 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 April 2017.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 29 March 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
232 pupils in this year group.
56% — 13 points above the Cornwall average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cornwall | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 56% | 43% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 49.1 | 45.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
219 pupils in this year group.
94% — 3 points above the Cornwall average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cornwall | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 94% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 4% | 15% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 11% | 13% |
| Further education college | 84% | 54% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 94% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Cornwall. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 236 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 222 |
| Of those, offered a place | 222 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 437 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cornwall | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Truro. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.7% | 25.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Truro. Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.0% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Truro. Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.0% | 15.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Truro. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6% | 3.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Truro. Lower than 53% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.2% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Truro. Lower than 57% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.1% | 26.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Truro. Lower than 16% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 40.0 | 37.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Truro. Lower than 31% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 10.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.24% | 0.43% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Truro. Higher than 41% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Truro. Higher than 54% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Truro. Higher than 34% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9% | 14.9%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Truro School 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 51% A*/A at A level
- Polwhele House School 1.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Truro High School 1.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 36% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Penair School's Ofsted rating?
Penair School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 April 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 29 March 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Penair School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 56% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Penair School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 222 families put Penair School as their first choice for 236 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 222 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 136567.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.