Truro and Penwith College Rated Outstanding for Young People’s Education and Apprenticeships

Truro and Penwith College has once again cemented its reputation as one of the South West’s leading further education providers after receiving Outstanding ratings from Ofsted for its Education Programmes for Young People (16-19) and Apprenticeships.

The latest Ofsted report, published this week following a four-day inspection in December, commended the college for its high-quality teaching, strong employer partnerships, and commitment to student success.

Students Make ‘Exceptional Progress’

Inspectors praised the college for helping students “make exceptional progress and rapidly develop significant new knowledge and skills,” thanks to well-structured and ambitious curriculums. Lessons were described as engaging and challenging, equipping students with the knowledge and resilience needed for higher education and employment.

For example, A Level biology students were recognised for confidently tackling complex medical diagnostics, while T Level students demonstrated problem-solving skills in real-world projects.

The results speak for themselves—over 1,000 students secured offers for their first-choice university, 15 students are set to progress to Oxbridge in 2025, and the college achieved a 100% pass rate in 54 subjects.

Leading the Way in Apprenticeships

Truro and Penwith College is one of only five Expert Apprenticeship Providers recognised by the Department for Education, solidifying its position as one of the top apprenticeship providers in the UK.

Inspectors highlighted the strong partnerships between the college and local businesses, stating:
“Apprentices gain hands-on experience, working alongside industry experts to refine their competencies.”

The college was also recently shortlisted as one of only four Apprenticeship Providers of the Year at the national Apprenticeship and Training Awards.

Skills for Cornwall’s Future

A key strength identified by Ofsted is the college’s role in shaping Cornwall’s workforce, working closely with industry partners in renewable energy, healthcare, and engineering.

Inspectors praised the state-of-the-art STEM and Health Skills Centre in Bodmin, which provides cutting-edge training for future medical, engineering, and digital professionals. The college was awarded the highest possible Ofsted grade of ‘Strong’ for its contribution to meeting local and national skills needs.

College Principal Martin Tucker expressed his pride in the report, stating:
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication, passion, and expertise of our staff, as well as the invaluable support from our students, employers, and wider community.”

An Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment

The college was also recognised for its inclusive culture, with students benefiting from a wide range of enrichment activities, including:
🎭 Creative arts exhibitions
⚽ Sports academies
🎓 Leadership opportunities

Specialist staff provide high-quality careers advice, helping students transition into further training, apprenticeships, or employment.

Ofsted stated:
“Across all provision types, students and apprentices feel valued and safe. They appreciate the respectful and inclusive culture that staff promote and value the personalised careers advice that helps them identify clear progression pathways.”

Continuous Improvement

While Ofsted awarded Outstanding ratings for young people’s education and apprenticeships, the overall effectiveness rating remains Good, as the college continues to implement improvements for students with high needs. Inspectors acknowledged that new systems and processes are in place and noted the proactive steps taken to enhance support.

Despite this, Truro and Penwith College continues to stand as the top-performing A Level provider in Cornwall, according to the Department for Education’s 16-18 A Level performance tables released this week.

📖 Read the full Ofsted report here: Ofsted Report.