Truro and Penwith College
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Ofsted Rating
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About Truro and Penwith College
Truro and Penwith College holds an Ofsted rating of Outstanding, and its most informative exam metric is the A-level value added score of 0.45, which places the school in the 'Well above average' progress banding. This means that students here make significantly more academic progress between the end of GCSEs and their A-levels than the national average. The average grade achieved per A-level entry is a B, with points per entry sitting at 39.23, and the average grade across a student's best three A-levels is also a B. For a college that serves students from age 16 to 99, these outcomes are particularly strong, and they reflect a consistent focus on pushing learners beyond expected gains. The school's attainment 8 score at KS4 is 46, though it does not have a Progress 8 score available for comparison.
In the 2023/24 academic year, 25% of A-level entries achieved grades AAB or higher, and the average points per entry grade was a B. The value added lower confidence interval is 0.20 and the upper is 0.69, confirming that the positive progress is statistically reliable. While the college does not enter students for the EBacc at KS4, and its basics measure percentages are zero, this is typical for a post-16 institution that does not focus on GCSE resits. Compared to the local authority average Progress 8 score of -0.12 for secondary schools, Truro and Penwith College's A-level value added of 0.45 is a standout figure. It is one of only two Outstanding-rated schools in the local authority out of 34 total secondary schools, placing it among the highest-performing institutions in Cornwall.
The college is a state-funded, mixed boarding school with a capacity of 471 students, and it offers a wide range of facilities including a sixth form centre, swimming pool, sports hall, gymnasium, playing fields, science labs, library, tennis courts, and a chapel. Sports on offer include rowing, rugby, athletics, football, cricket, and dance, while clubs range from drama and choir to Young Enterprise, science club, eco club, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The school has an official sixth form and boarding provision, making it a practical choice for families across Cornwall and beyond who want a strong academic environment for post-16 study. With no nursery provision and a focus on older students, this college is best suited to teenagers and adults seeking a high-performing, well-resourced setting with proven academic value added.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 16 to 99 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX |
| Headteacher | Martin Tucker |
| Local Authority | Cornwall |
| School Capacity | 471 |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
| Boarding | Yes — Boarding school |
GCSE Results
2023/24Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
48.0
'22/23
36.6
'23/24
39.2
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where school leavers go
2022/2376%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 17 pupils).
- University (HE)76%
- Employment12%
- Not sustained6%
Sources: DfE 16-18 destination measures (broad bucket); DfE KS5 student destinations file (Russell Group / top-third HE / Oxbridge). Level 3 cohort. “Sustained” means the pupil was in education, apprenticeship or employment for 6 months in the year following completion.
Sixth form A-level subjects
2022/23- Business Studies:Single12
- Mathematics12
- English Literature9
- Psychology9
- Biology8
- Chemistry7
- Classical Civilisation6
- Geography6
- History6
- Spanish6
- Art and Design (Textiles)5
- Drama and Theatre Studies5
Subjects with at least 3 entries in 2022/23. Number shown next to each subject is the number of pupils who sat that A-level exam — a rough indicator of subject popularity at this school. Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance.
SEND Support
SEN Pupil Breakdown
0
With EHC Plan
50
SEN Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
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.
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.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
3
Total schools
2
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.
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Contact Information
College Road, Truro
Cornwall, TR1 3XX
College Road, Truro
Cornwall, TR1 3XX
Journey to School
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