Achievements

We are proud of our achievements and our commitment to continuously improve. Some of our achievements include:

• accredited with an outstanding rating from the OFSTED Education Inspectorate in 2007 and 2010
• accredited with Specialist College status in 2010
• awarded the Artsmark Gold Award in 2010
• awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark in 2009
• awarded Healthy School status in 2008
• Membership of NASS (National Association of Independent Schools and Non-Maintained Special Schools)
• working towards achieving the International Schools Award

Thomas' story

Thomas (18) has attended Penhurst School since 2001. Thomas was born with a severe heart defect and had open-heart surgery when he was five months old. As a result he didn't reach the usual milestones that most children do. Penhurst School has taught him to use the appropriate communication tools and supported him to help him make choices.

Through one-to-one attention and a series of innovative therapies, such as SLT, occupational and hydro-therapy, he has become more settled and responsive. His mum, Jenny, says "Penhurst School has done wonders for Thomas."

Matthew's story

Matthew has Marshall Smith syndrome. He uses a wheelchair, cannot speak, he has breathing problems and finds it hard to swallow. By working with him and his individual needs, Penhurst School has helped him to overcome these challenges. Through one-to-one care, he can now communicate choices and knows how to use the appropriate communication tools.

His mother, Sara, plays an active part in the school and has become a school governor. She says "Penhurst supports parents well too; the therapists communicate directly with parents and the school trains parents on how to communicate and interact with their children. The quality of the service is excellent."