SchoolScoresPennycross Primary School
Community school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Arden Grove, Pennycross, Plymouth, PL2 3RL
01752 705137 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 9 November 2016.
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 |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 18 November 2021: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
60 pupils in this year group.
82% — 17 points above the Plymouth average, and 20 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 82% | 65% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 12% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 87% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 83% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 88% | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 Plymouth. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 52 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 50 |
| Of those, offered a place | 50 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 108 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
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 | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 35th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 63% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 28.1% | 26.6%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 27th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 52% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.1% | 2.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 51st highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 45% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.6% | 16.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 28th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 54% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.4% | 12.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 35th lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 54% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.9% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 40th lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 45% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 12.5% | 12.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 16th lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 62% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5 | 3.2 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 13th lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 67% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.2% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 43rd highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 47% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.4 | 21.0 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 44th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 44% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.4 | 10.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 60th highest of 71 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 15.8%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- Montpelier Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mayflower Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2016), confirmed 2023 · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
- Manadon Vale Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- King's School 0.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Shakespeare Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ford Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hyde Park Junior School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hyde Park Infants' School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 4 expected
- Widey Court Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Weston Mill Community Primary Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 46% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Pennycross Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Pennycross Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 9 November 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 18 November 2021, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Pennycross Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 82% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 20 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Pennycross Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 50 families put Pennycross Primary School as their first choice for 52 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 50 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 113297.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.