Penn Hall School, Wolverhampton
Penn Hall School is a special school for pupils aged 3 to 19 in Wolverhampton, part of Amethyst Academies Trust. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2025, ended in a report card: 4 strong standard and 3 expected standard.
- Ofsted report card
- 4 of 7 areas strong or better
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Penn Hall School in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 18 November 2025 inspection grades Penn Hall School on 7 areas: 4 strong standard and 3 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 are committed to improving pupils' attendance."
Inclusion - Strong standard. "Staff receive regular and highly effective training that ensures that they understand pupils' differing special educational needs and/or disabilities."
Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders, trustees and governors share a clear and compelling vision to deliver high-quality, inclusive education."
Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school's personal development programme is carefully designed and meticulously tailored to meet pupils' needs."
Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils generally achieve well from their starting points across the curriculum."
Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The school has successfully introduced an ambitious and broad curriculum."
Post 16 provision - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear understanding of the quality of the post-16 provision."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teachers have the precise expert knowledge of the subjects they teach so that pupils and post-16 students achieve consistently well across the curriculum"; "Leaders should continue their work to expand the range of qualifications offered to pupils to further support them in preparation for their next steps and future career aspirations".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Penn Hall School are Ladybird Manor School (0.7 miles, selective); Penn Fields School (0.9 miles, Good); Kingsley Academy (1.9 miles); and Aurora Cedars School (2.1 miles, Good).
Ladybird Manor SchoolPenn Fields SchoolKingsley AcademyAurora Cedars School
The trust
Penn Hall School is one of 5 schools run by Amethyst Academies Trust, an academy trust.
What parents say
24 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Penn Hall School (as of April 2026): 71% would recommend the school and 88% say their child is happy there.
The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (88%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (50%).
Where pupils go next
Of the 11 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 100% stayed in education or training for at least two terms.
Who goes there
68.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 18% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
Almost every pupil at Penn Hall School has an education, health and care plan (150 of 150 in 2026). The most common need among them is a physical disability.
Penn Hall School provides for pupils with autism, physical disability, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Wolverhampton St George's (West Midlands Metro), about 2.4 miles away in a straight line.
7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is White Gates (adjacent), 240 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 90 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, vehicle crime and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Wolverhampton (286).
Suspensions and exclusions
Penn Hall School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 11 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards met
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- InclusionStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- Post 16 provisionExpected standard
Safeguarding standards: met
Penn Hall School has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in November 2022. Before that, as Penn Hall School (URN 104417), it was rated Outstanding in February 2013.
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at Penn Hall School
Pupils at Penn Hall learn in a safe, nurturing and highly inclusive environment, where every individual is valued. Relationships are warm and respectful, creating a culture of trust and kindness. The school is calm, purposeful and full of enthusiasm for learning. Pupils enjoy coming to school and are rarely absent. The behaviour of pupils is highly positive and incidences when behaviour falls short of expectations are extremely rare. Pupils are proud of what they achieve. There is a tangible excitement and buzz about learning. Staff provide thoughtful care for pupils to meet their needs. Leaders and staff know pupils very well. They gain an in-depth understanding of pupils' interests, talents and needs. Staff adapt their teaching and support for pupils with great care. This ensures that all individuals can engage, participate and thrive. Put simply, the school's offer is bespoke for every pupil. However, at times, inconsistencies in the delivery of the curriculum occur when teachers' lack precise subject knowledge. These inconsistencies hold pupils back from achieving consistently well. Developing pupils' communication is a priority and strength of the school. Every pupil has a voice. Whether through speech, sign, symbols or assistive technology, pupils are empowered to express themselves and participate fully in school life. Pupils benefit from a broad and engaging curriculum, enriched by exciting opportunities such as music, sports, community visits, residentials and special events. Pupils are well supported to develop life skills, prepare for adulthood and explore their future careers. Pupils manage 'Raphael's Tea Rooms' which is open to and enjoyed by the public. Social skills and friendships flourish through structured play and enrichment activities, helping pupils to feel a deep sense of belonging. Pupils also actively contribute to the development of the school through the school council. Pupils thrive socially and emotionally because leaders and staff go above and beyond to remove barriers. They celebrate pupils' every achievement; ensuring that no pupil misses out.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders should ensure that teachers have the precise expert knowledge of the subjects they teach so that pupils and post-16 students achieve consistently well across the curriculum.
- Leaders should continue their work to expand the range of qualifications offered to pupils to further support them in preparation for their next steps and future career aspirations.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 18 November 2025). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's November 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Penn Hall excels at creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where pupils with complex needs thrive. The school removes barriers to attendance through innovative partnerships and ensures every pupil receives highly tailored support to access the curriculum. Staff are exceptionally skilled at understanding each child's needs and helping them achieve their best, while maintaining a calm and purposeful atmosphere where pupils feel valued and safe.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional attendance rates consistently above the national average for specialist settings, supported by innovative partnerships like community paediatrician surgeries at school
- Highly positive relationships between staff and pupils built on trust and kindness, with staff expertly helping pupils manage emotions and behaviour
- Comprehensive inclusion support with specialist training for staff and individualised support that enables all pupils to access the full curriculum
- Ambitious and broad curriculum including GCSEs, with careful focus on communication skills development
- Strong careers education and post-16 provision preparing students for employment and adulthood
Areas for Improvement
- Some inconsistencies in curriculum delivery mean certain pupils do not achieve as well as they could
- Occasional gaps in staff subject knowledge, particularly in wider areas of mathematics
- Some inconsistencies in post-16 teaching which affects consistency of student achievement
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has an open and positive culture of safeguarding where all legal requirements are met and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Pupil-run café serving the public, residential trips to outdoor adventure centres with high-ropes courses, cultural visits, community engagement events, life-skill activities, school council
Penn Hall School is a specialist setting that provides high-quality, inclusive education for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The school creates a safe, nurturing environment where every individual is valued and relationships are built on trust, respect and kindness.
At a Glance
68.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
Autism, Physical, SLD +1
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
24 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at April 2026 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Penn Hall School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Penn Hall School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Penn Hall School is in Wolverhampton; for families living there:
Apply to Wolverhampton for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 8
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 1 serious and 6 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt.
2 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Wolverhampton is 24 (the median across 126 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
142%
Over capacity
150 pupils
106 places
44 pupils over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Wolverhampton
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Wolverhampton
Across Wolverhampton council
Places available
3,951
Applications
3,467
Got 1st preference
74.8%
Got preferred school
93.7%
All secondary applications across Wolverhampton council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(2)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
150
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Penn Hall School provides for pupils with autism, physical disability, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
150
Total Pupils
95
Boys
55
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
24
Teachers
6.3:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£50,838
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
9.5%
Overall absence
31.9%
Persistent absence
119
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Penn Hall School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Penn Hall School
What are SATs results like at Penn Hall School?
Of the pupils at Penn Hall School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 0% reached the expected standard in reading and 0% did so in maths.
What is Penn Hall School's Ofsted rating?
Penn Hall School has had no graded Ofsted inspection since it took its current form in November 2022. Before that, as Penn Hall School (URN 104417), it was rated Outstanding in February 2013.
What is the catchment area for Penn Hall School?
No fixed boundary. When Penn Hall School is oversubscribed, Wolverhampton allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Penn Hall School?
Penn Hall School has around 150 pupils on roll. 69% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Penn Hall School have specialist SEN provision?
Penn Hall School provides for pupils with autism, physical disability, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.
What is attendance like at Penn Hall School?
9.5% of sessions were missed at Penn Hall School in 2024/25. 31.9% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Penn Hall School?
Apply through Wolverhampton's coordinated admissions process, naming Penn Hall School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Penn Hall School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 1 serious and 6 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt. 2 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Wolverhampton is 24 (the median across 126 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Penn Hall School?
Penn Hall School is at Vicarage Road, Penn, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV4 5HP.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)