St Austell MP Praises ‘Outstanding’ Education and Training

MP Joins Celebration of Outstanding Achievements

Leading figures in education and training came together to mark a milestone year for St Austell, with special praise from Noah Law, MP for St Austell and Newquay.

The town is now home to several Ofsted Outstanding providers, as well as others with many outstanding features, signalling a major boost for young people and adults looking to retrain.

Noah said: “The entire team of teachers, staff, parents and most importantly – students, should be very proud.”

He added: “It is an absolute privilege for St Austell to have such outstanding schools and colleges, which are not only building young people’s futures, but also supporting local jobs and prosperity, which is one of my election pledges.”

“This is about vision. These high standards, complemented by Cornwall College’s world-class apprenticeship offering in recent years – including the opening of a local Green Construction Skills Centre – will create exactly the workforce we need to deliver critical homes and infrastructure long into the future.”

College and Schools at the Heart of the Community

Head of Campus Cornwall College St Austell, David Atkinson-Beaumont, was joined at the celebration by key members of Cornwall Education Learning Trust (CELT). These included Head of Penrice Academy Tanya Coleman, Headteacher of Mount Charles School Sarah Simpson, and Headteacher of Poltair School Richard Cardigan.

David described the moment as “historic” and said: “My colleagues from CELT and the head teachers here today will no doubt agree that these results demonstrate how our college and schools are at the very heart of the communities we serve. Students, parents, businesses and local stakeholders can be confident we are transforming lives through education and helping drive economic growth in St Austell.”

CELT is committed to ensuring all students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, receive high-quality education and support. Its inclusive approach means each academy keeps its unique identity while benefiting from shared expertise aimed at closing achievement gaps.

Inspectors Praise Schools’ Focus on Belonging

Recent Ofsted inspections confirm that education in St Austell is thriving. Sarah explained the importance of creating a sense of belonging. “In our recent Ofsted – inspectors recognised our approach to fostering a sense of belonging lies at the heart of the school’s work and this is evident in the excellent, trusting relationships that staff build with the families we serve,” she said.

“They confirmed what we see every day in our classrooms: that education in St Austell is thriving and delivering excellent experiences for all young people. We give all pupils the chance to thrive, reach their full potential and ultimately the opportunity to make life choices.”

St Austell Secondary Schools Lead Cornwall in Progress

At Poltair School, Richard highlighted the focus on supporting disadvantaged pupils. “We’re incredibly proud that, for Progress-8, both secondary schools in St Austell rank in the top three in Cornwall – making our town the place where students make the most academic progress in secondary education across the county,” he said.

CELT’s “Cradle to Career” programme continues to help ensure every child has the best possible experience and future opportunities, regardless of background.