The School

As a school, we take our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children extremely seriously. Improving outcomes for all of our students underpins all of the work within this school. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and as such our school aims to create the safest environment within which every student has the opportunity to achieve.

We’re a lively, thriving school, and we pride ourselves on offering the very best for our students.

We cater for children and young people aged 11-16 who live in Penryn and the surrounding villages of Constantine, Flushing, Mabe, Mawnan Smith, Mylor, Perranwell and Ponsanooth. Students also join us from Falmouth and other outlying villages and towns.

Our PAN (published admission number) for each year group is 210, but the occupational capacity is slightly different for each one. Currently, we are oversubscribed in all year groups.

Originally, Penryn College opened in Falmouth in 1957, and was moved to its present site in 1961. Since that time, there has been a programme of continuous improvement and updating of buildings/classrooms. Our biggest development was the opening of our £24 million College building in 2008.

We have a great range of resources that help us meet the needs of students and the community; for example, through a partnership with the university, we were able to build a six badminton court-size sports hall, and have the latest generation synthetic turf pitch.

As a Year 7 student, finding your way around a big school on the first day of the new term can be an ordeal. That’s why we make the transition from primary to senior school as smooth as possible. Every year, our students and teachers visit primary schools to introduce themselves and work with pupils on a variety of fun-filled learning activities.

We host induction evenings where parents/carers and children can explore the school and meet with tutors. Other events include an Induction Week for Year 5 & 6 pupils and an Intake Day for Year 6 students every July, with plenty of challenging activities for everyone.

Our unique relationship with surrounding primary schools – known as the ‘Penryn Partnership’ – helps primary children settle in at the school whilst adjusting to their new environment.

Penryn College has grown from strength to strength…

Our most significant successes to date are being designated as a Sports College in 1998; a Leading Edge school in 2004; and a high-performing specialist college in 2006. Additionally, we have been graded as an ‘Outstanding’ school by Ofsted two times, in 2006 and 2009. In our most recent Ofsted inspection, we were graded as a ‘Good’ education provider. 

When our students conclude their time with us, the majority move on to a variety of sixth forms and colleges. These include Falmouth Sixth Form, Falmouth Marine School, Truro College and Cornwall College Camborne. With the help of our dedicated Careers team, our students are given help and guidance to make the most appropriate choices for their post-16 education.

At the end of 2010, as an Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ school, we were presented with the opportunity to consider converting to Academy status, in line with the new government initiative. In March 2011, following consultation with staff, parents/carers, pupils and the local community, our governors made the decision to start the process of conversion, and on July 1, 2011, we became an Academy. As an Academy, we are committed to maintaining everything that students, staff, parents/carers and the wider community value about Penryn College.

“Cooperation, keenness, enthusiasm and the ability to learn independently are among the key things we develop in our students.”

Head of Department