Penarth Group School

Penarth Group School is a small independent special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs; all pupils have an education, health and care plan, and 20 pupils were on roll at inspection against a capacity of 27. The school is judged to be at strong standard overall, with inclusion graded strong. Most other areas—achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing—are at expected standard. Safeguarding standards are met, and all independent school standards are met. Staff know pupils exceptionally well and provide highly personalised support. Pupils, many of whom arrive with disrupted education, significant gaps and poor attendance, make secure progress and develop positive attitudes and behaviour over time. Leaders work closely with families and external agencies, and parents are highly supportive. Pupils feel safe, build trusting relationships with staff, and are prepared well for their next steps. The main areas for further development are the curriculum design in a small number of subjects, which is less well considered than in the strongest subjects, and the personal development programme, which leaders should continue to develop into an extensive and carefully tailored offer. Overall, the school is performing well and meeting the needs of its pupils effectively.

Strengths

• Staff know every pupil as an individual and plan highly precise, personalised provision.
• Robust assessment systems identify academic and personal development needs quickly.
• Pupils make secure progress from a wide range of starting points and close gaps in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Staff celebrate small steps of progress, helping pupils build pride and motivation.
• Leaders work closely with external professionals to reduce barriers to learning and wellbeing.
• Attendance improves over time through supportive relationships and carefully considered strategies.
• Behaviour improves as pupils feel a sense of belonging and receive well-considered emotional support.
• Leaders are clear that discriminatory behaviour is not tolerated, and pupils trust staff to deal with bullying swiftly.
• Leaders have a secure understanding of curriculum and teaching quality and make well-considered curriculum decisions.
• Staff receive effective training to adapt teaching to meet pupils' special educational needs and disabilities.
• A clear vision of high expectations is well understood by staff, who feel well supported.
• Parents and carers are highly positive about the school's impact on their children's learning and development.
• The personal development offer includes a well-planned careers programme, safeguarding curriculum, and British values.
• Safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed.
• All independent school standards are met.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum design is less well considered in a small number of subjects because other subjects have taken priority.
• The personal development programme needs further development to become extensive and carefully tailored.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is Penarth Group School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Penarth Group School is Expected standard, from an inspection in September 2026.

When was Penarth Group School last inspected by Ofsted?

Penarth Group School was last inspected in September 2026.

How many pupils does Penarth Group School have?

Penarth Group School has 18 pupils on roll.

What age range does Penarth Group School cover?

Penarth Group School for pupils aged 11 to 18.

Where is Penarth Group School?

Penarth Group School is at 128 Reddish Road, South Reddish, Stockport, Cheshire, Cheshire, SK5 7JG.