St Austell Schools Recognised Among Top 10% in England for Year 7 Experience

Two St Austell secondary schools are celebrating national recognition after being ranked in the top 10% of schools in England for student recommendation.

Penrice Academy and Poltair School both received the accolade following a national survey completed by their entire Year 7 cohorts towards the end of last term.

How the recognition was awarded

The recognition was awarded by The Engagement Platform, which works with schools across the country to provide data and benchmarking to help identify areas for improvement.

At both schools, Year 7 pupils were asked the same question as part of the national survey:
“If you had friends looking to move school, would you recommend this school to them?”

The results placed both schools in the top 10% of secondary schools nationally for student recommendation.

What the results show

The measure provides insight into how pupils feel during their early secondary school experience, including how welcome, supported and happy they feel in their new environment.

The results highlight a shared success for St Austell, showing that the town is home to two secondary schools delivering high-quality education and a positive start to secondary school life.

Focus on Year 6 to Year 7 transition

Both schools place strong emphasis on the transition from Year 6 into Year 7, recognising how important this period is for confidence, wellbeing and long-term success.

Their transition programmes include close work with primary schools, clear communication with families, opportunities for pupils to become familiar with their new settings, and an early focus on building relationships and a sense of belonging.

The positive feedback from Year 7 pupils reflects how well students have settled, how secure and supported they feel, and the progress they have already made in their first term.

Building on previous achievements

This latest recognition builds on accolades awarded to both schools last year.

In 2025, Poltair was one of nine schools shortlisted for National Secondary School of the Year. Penrice Academy also retained its Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ status, a judgement the school has held since 2011.

Staff at both schools have expressed pride in how confidently pupils have embraced new routines and friendships.

What school leaders said

Richard Cardigan, Headteacher at Poltair School, said:
“Seeing how positively our Year 7 students have settled into Poltair makes us immensely proud. Their willingness to recommend the school speaks volumes about how welcome and supported they feel as they embrace this next chapter of their education. This achievement reflects the care and warmth that shapes our community, and it’s a powerful reminder that St Austell is a town where young people are genuinely supported to succeed.”

Tanya Coleman, Headteacher of Penrice Academy, said:
“We are incredibly proud of our Year 7 students and the way they have embraced life at Penrice with such confidence. Starting secondary school can feel daunting, so to know that our pupils feel happy and supported from the very beginning really means a great deal to us. This recognition reinforces what we believe so strongly that when young people feel safe and cared for, they can truly thrive. It’s fantastic to see St Austell recognised once again as a town with such strong educational provision.”

Trust-wide perspective

Both schools are part of Cornwall Education Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust comprising five secondary schools and 11 primary schools across Cornwall.

Lucy Gambier, Director of Secondary Education at CELT, said:
“This recognition is a real celebration of the positive experiences our young people are having as they begin secondary school. Together, both Penrice and Poltair reflect our shared commitment across CELT to putting young people’s wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, and to supporting every child to make a strong, successful start.”