Pencoys Primary School
82%
Capacity
173
Pupils
1.5x
Demand
About Pencoys Primary School
Pencoys Primary School sits within the Cornwall local authority, a county where only eight of its 235 primary schools hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating. Pencoys itself ranks 64th out of those 235 schools on the key stage 2 expected standard measure, placing it comfortably in the top third of Cornwall primaries. Its closest top-performing peers in the area include Calstock Community Primary School, Landewednack Community Primary School, and St Buryan Primary School, all of which score higher on the same ranking metric. For families weighing up options in mid-Cornwall, Pencoys offers a solid, well-regarded alternative to these higher-ranked neighbours, particularly given its recent improvement journey.
The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2023 awarded it a Good rating across every category, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This marks a significant step up from its previous inspection in 2019, when the school was rated Requires Improvement overall. In the 2023/24 key stage 2 assessments, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is nine percentage points above the Cornwall local authority average of 58%. Reading scores were particularly strong, with 80% reaching the expected standard and an average scaled score of 104, while maths saw 77% at expected and a slightly higher average score of 105. The proportion reaching the higher standard in all three subjects was 13%, and the school’s national ranking on the combined expected measure places it in the top 40% of all primaries in England.
Pencoys is a mixed, non-denominational state primary for children aged 2 to 11, with nursery provision on site. It currently has 173 pupils against a capacity of 210, and 23.5% are eligible for free school meals. The school was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, with 29 applications for 19 places and 16 first-preference offers made. Facilities include a forest school, ICT suite, music rooms, art studios, a sports hall, and playing fields, with clubs ranging from eco club and film club to choir and science club. Sports offered include athletics, swimming, cross country and cricket. The school’s SEND provision covers a broad range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. This combination of strong academic progress, improved Ofsted rating, and wide-ranging facilities makes Pencoys a practical choice for families seeking a local primary with a clear upward trajectory.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Loscombe Road, Redruth, Cornwall, TR16 6RB |
| Headteacher | Catherine Bonds |
| Local Authority | Cornwall |
| Number of Pupils | 173 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 23.5% |
| School Capacity | 173 / 210 (82% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
26 Sept 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 8 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (67%)
5370th of 13,686
Nationally
493rd of 1,469
In South West
68th of 208
In Cornwall
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
67%
Expected Standard
13%
Higher Standard
'22/23
65%
'23/24
67%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed19
29
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
16 families put this school as their 1st choice (55% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
School day
Teaching hours
08:50 – 15:15
Breakfast club
07:30-08:40
After-school care
15:15-17:30
Source: pencoys.croftymat.org. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Lower than the national median (10%) — mostly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British94.8%
- White (other)1.7%
- Asian1.2%
- Mixed0.6%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Better than half of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
1
Total schools
1
Oversubscribed
1
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Was this page helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions About Pencoys Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Loscombe Road, Redruth
Cornwall, TR16 6RB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at Pencoys Primary School!
Write a Review