Peterhouse School celebrates Ofsted Success

We’re thrilled to share that Peterhouse School has received a fantastic Ofsted report, with safeguarding standards met and five ‘Strong Standard’ ratings across key areas.

Under Ofsted’s inspection framework, a ‘Strong standard’ represents an excellent, consistent level of provision that exceeds baseline expectations and makes a genuinely positive difference for learners.

Attendance and Behaviour: Strong standard

Inclusion: Strong standard

Leadership and Governance: Strong standard

Personal Development and Wellbeing: Strong standard

Post-16 Provision: Strong standard

Achievement: Expected standard

Curriculum and Teaching: Expected standard

 

Highlights from the inspection

• Safeguarding: Leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, keeping our pupils safe
• Attendance & Behaviour: Pupils feel confident coming to school, with many showing notable improvement in attendance over time. Behaviour is calm and orderly across the school
• Inclusion: The school’s autism-informed approach and thoughtful adjustments help pupils feel secure, access learning and develop independence
• Flexible Education: Peterhouse School’s flexible education offer provides valuable support for pupils and families, helping pupils rebuild confidence and successfully transition into full-time attendance. This carefully tailored provision supports pupils who have experienced difficulty attending or engaging with school
• Leadership: Inspectors recognised a rapid improvement in curriculum design and teaching, with families reporting clear improvements in pupils’ curiosity, communication, independence and engagement
• Personal Development: The school’s wide range of experiences, therapeutic provision and focus on preparing pupils for adulthood helps build confidence and resilience
• Post-16 Excellence: Personalised study programmes and focus on independence help students feel prepared for their next steps

 

What the Inspectors Said About Peterhouse School’s Partnership with families

In their report, the inspectors acknowledged the success of Peterhouse School’s Partnership work with families.

“Leaders prioritise partnership with parents and carers. Families feel listened to, supported and included as part of their child’s education.

Parents describe increased confidence in the school’s ability to meet their child’s needs and report clear improvements in pupils’ curiosity, communication, independence and engagement with learning.”

Many of the parents and families of students had experienced difficulties with education in the past, and the inspectors specifically noted how:

“Leaders’ autism-informed approach, alongside the dedication and care shown by staff, helps rebuild trust for families who have experienced difficulties with education in the past.”

 

What the Inspectors Said About pupils

The report paints a wonderful picture of what life is like for pupils at Peterhouse School:

About feeling safe and belonging:

“Pupils arrive to a calm and welcoming school where daily routines are clear and familiar and where staff know them well. This helps pupils feel safe and ready to begin their day.”

“Pupils feel that they belong. They form friendships, look after one another and describe the school as consistent and fair.”

About attendance and engagement:

“Pupils’ attendance shows that they enjoy coming to school. Many pupils attend more regularly than they have in the past, especially those with previous negative experiences of education.”

About progress:

“Over time, pupils make progress from the levels they were working at when they joined the school, including in communication, reading, writing and mathematics.”

About wider opportunities:

“Pupils value the wider opportunities available to them. Many look forward to residential visits, which they talk about with excitement and pride. These experiences help pupils practise independence, develop confidence and build relationships in unfamiliar settings.”

 

Calvin Wallace, Head Teacher at Peterhouse School said:

“I am delighted with the outcome of our recent Ofsted Inspection.  The report reflects the collective efforts of our entire school team.

The deep understanding of our pupils’ needs and unwavering commitment to providing excellent education and care has been recognised and celebrated in this report.

I am incredibly proud of what the whole Peterhouse Team have achieved together.”

 

Peterhouse School would like to give a huge thank you to the dedicated staff, supportive families and wonderful pupils for making the school such a special place.

You can read the full Ofsted report here.