Penkridge Middle School, Stafford

Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades Penkridge Middle School on 6 areas: 2 strong standard and 4 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have established a highly successful culture of regular attendance and positive behaviour."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have created a personal development and wellbeing programme that is detailed, well planned and progressive."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Leaders use a variety of in-school and external assessment to track the progress and outcomes for pupils."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a varied and balanced curriculum that enables pupils to build their knowledge and skills over time."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders are ambitious and aspire to ensure equitable access to school for all pupils."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders know their school well and are aspirational for the pupils."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teachers consistently adapt teaching strategies to inform subsequent teaching"; "Leaders should ensure that all teachers use assessments to promptly and accurately address errors and misconceptions so that pupils make better progress in lessons"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers utilise specific training to help pupils build on their prior learning more successfully".

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is my absolute pleasure, as Headteacher, to welcome you to Penkridge Middle School. At the heart of that reputation is a simple commitment: we want every child to be happy, successful and proud to belong to our school. We combine high expectations with high levels of care, encouragement and support, ensuring that every pupil has the opportunity to thrive."

In 2025, 74% of Year 6 pupils at Penkridge Middle School reached the expected standard in reading and 77% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 77% in Staffordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (77% in reading, 77% in maths).

Staffordshire published that the last place offered for 2026 entry went to a family 3.832 miles away. The cut-off moves every year with the number of applications.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Penkridge Middle School are Wolgarston High School (0.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48.2); The Rural Enterprise Academy (1.9 miles, Inadequate, Attainment 8 36.3); Cardinal Griffin Catholic College (3.6 miles, Attainment 8 38.3); and Staffordshire University Academy (3.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 33.3).

Penkridge Middle School is one of 7 schools run by Penk Valley Academy Trust, an academy trust.

15.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Penkridge Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

1 bus stop is within a five-minute walk; the closest is Littleton Crescent (adjacent), 240 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 45 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Staffordshire (86).

In 2024/25, Penkridge Middle School issued 2 suspensions, 0.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Penkridge Middle School are Marshbrook First School (0.4 miles), St Michael's CofE (A) First School (0.5 miles) and Princefield First School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.