Penn Fields School

Penn Fields School has made significant improvements since its previous inspection and is now rated as good overall. The school offers a supportive environment where pupils form positive relationships with staff and peers, which contributes to their enjoyment and regular attendance. Leaders are dedicated to ensuring that all pupils achieve their best, paying attention to both academic and personal development. The inclusion of a variety of extracurricular activities helps to prepare students for their future endeavors. Despite these strengths, there are concerns regarding the provision for pupils with the most complex needs, where the learning activities may not always be sufficiently tailored to meet individual requirements.

Strengths

• Strong relationships between staff and pupils.
• Ambitious leadership committed to high standards.
• Broad curriculum that includes a range of subjects.
• Effective support for reading and phonics.
• Positive and calm school environment.
• Good attendance and pupil engagement.

Areas for Improvement

• Activities not always well matched to pupils with complex needs.
• Inconsistent support for teachers in delivering tailored learning for some students.

In 2024–25 pupils at Penn Fields School attended 92.7% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 22.7% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 2.1% of pupils at Penn Fields School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Penn Fields School had 7.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 4.4% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Penn Fields School had 185 pupils, 97.8% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Penn Fields School received £29,063 and spent £26,002 for each of its 185 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,582,000 (£8,551 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Wolverhampton · Wolverhampton local authority: places and applications

What is Penn Fields School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Penn Fields School is Good, from an inspection in March 2023.

When was Penn Fields School last inspected by Ofsted?

Penn Fields School was last inspected in March 2023.

How many pupils does Penn Fields School have?

Penn Fields School has 185 pupils on roll.

What age range does Penn Fields School cover?

Penn Fields School for pupils aged 5 to 19.

What are Penn Fields School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Penn Fields School?

Penn Fields School is at Boundary Way, Penn, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV4 4NT.