Sennen Community Primary Academy, Penzance

Ofsted's report card from its 24 February 2026 inspection grades Sennen Community Primary Academy on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically achieve well."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders know that some pupils' attendance has not been high enough."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Teaching in the school is effective because leaders know where it is working well and where further improvement is needed."

Early years - Expected standard. "The school's recent expansion of the early years to include a nursery has been successful."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school fosters an inclusive culture for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) while maintaining high expectations for their learning."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have moved the school forward after a difficult period between changes of leadership."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school provides a well-structured and purposeful personal development programme that reflects its context."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should sustain the upward trend in pupils' attendance by embedding the school's systems and continuing to work with families where pupils' absence remains a concern"; "Leaders should support staff to refine task design and adaptations so that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, can develop their knowledge more securely and more pupils achieve high standards at the end of key stage 2".

In its own words: "At Sennen School, we strive to nurture happy, confident, and curious children through a caring and inclusive approach. We genuinely care about every child, fostering a warm and supportive environment where all can thrive. We are guided by the core values of being ready, respectful, and responsible-principles that shape the expectations and behaviours of our children, staff, and families alike."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Sennen Primary School - a place where learning is celebrated, curiosity is nurtured, and every child is valued. At Sennen, we are passionate about learning. Our dedicated staff care deeply for each and every child, working tirelessly to ensure they feel safe, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential."

In 2025, 76% of Year 6 pupils at Sennen Community Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 59% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 73% in Cornwall and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 80% in reading and 70% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 14 families put Sennen Community Primary Academy as their first choice and 25 named it as one of their preferences, for 14 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Sennen Community Primary Academy are St Levan Primary School (1.8 miles, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths); St Buryan Primary School (2.9 miles, Good, 63% reading, 88% maths); and St Just Primary School (3.3 miles, Good, 81% reading, 81% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Sennen Community Primary Academy.

Sennen Community Primary Academy is one of 41 schools run by Truro & Penwith Academy Trust, an academy trust.

23 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Sennen Community Primary Academy (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (83%).

14.3% 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.

In 2026, 13 pupils (13.3%) received SEN support and 1 (1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

Sennen Community Primary Academy had 7 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Sennen Community Primary Academy.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Primary School (w-bound), 10 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 3 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Cornwall (14).

Sennen Community Primary Academy recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.