St Austell MP praises ‘Outstanding’ education and training

Leading members of the education and training sector gathered to celebrate a monumental year for St Austell, receiving special congratulations from Noah Law, MP for St Austell and Newquay.

In a major confidence boost for young people and those looking to retrain, the town now boasts multiple Ofsted Outstanding education providers and plenty who have many outstanding features.

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

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

“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,” he continued.

“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.”

David said: “It was a historic moment for the town and surrounding areas.”

“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 though education and helping drive economic growth in St Austell,” he explained.

CELT is dedicated to providing high-quality education and support to all pupils and students, focussed on ensuring those from disadvantaged backgrounds have the resources and opportunities to excel.

This inclusive approach means each academy retains its identity while benefiting from shared resources and best practices aimed at closing the achievement gap.

Recent Ofsted inspections show that education in St Austell is excellent and provides children and young people with exceptional educational experiences.

Sarah said the school was “dedicated to providing an exceptional education and unwavering commitment to every pupil.”

“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. 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,” she added.

Richard said at Poltair School there is a “particular focus on ensuring that those from disadvantaged backgrounds have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive”.

“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 continued.

For Progress-8, both St Austell secondary schools are in the top 3 in Cornwall, making St Austell the town where students make the most progress during their time in secondary education in Cornwall.

CELT’s Cradle to Career programme is working to ensure that every child, irrespective of background, has the very best school experience so they can enjoy future choices and opportunities.