The Cornwall Independent School
Same Cornwall area with a comparable local commute
School profile
Verified 18 August 2026
Polwhele House School is a private secondary-stage school in Truro, Cornwall, with a published age range of 2-17.
Private school Co-ed Ages 2-17 No sixth form listed No boarders
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-17
- ISI ?
- Likely to meet standards
- Boarding ?
- No boarders
Polwhele House School
On this page
At a glance
Key facts
- Sector
- Private school
- Gender
- Mixed
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-17
- Boarding ?
- No boarders
- Route check
- Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
- ISI ?
- Likely to meet standards
Overview
Overview
Polwhele House School occupies a 30-acre site on the outskirts of Truro, where early years, prep and senior provision share a countryside setting close to the city. The school combines academic challenge with close pastoral care, encouraging pupils to learn, perform, compete and play. Its current structure is co-educational and day-only, offering a continuous setting through the senior years.
The curriculum extends well beyond ordinary lessons. Music, drama and sport sit alongside a dedicated equestrian provision with riding lessons and events for children of different ages and abilities. The scholarship programme focuses on sport, performing arts and equestrianism, giving pupils with a strong interest in one of those areas dedicated time to develop their skills during the school day.
Polwhele's admissions process begins with an online expression of interest and a personal tour of the staff, facilities and daily routine. Prospective pupils are then invited to spend two full taster days in school before registration and an agreed start date. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and the current prospectus brings together the curriculum, pastoral care, co-curricular activities, facilities and admissions information.
Key points
Key points
- Assessment route
- Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
- Places and demand
- Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
- Catchment
- Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
- Results
- Independent-school performance data is patchier in official releases, so GCSE and A-level comparisons should be checked against the school's published results.
School details
School details
- Sector
- Private school
- School type
- Other independent school
- Funding
- Independent fee-paying
- Application
- Apply direct to school
- Gender
- Mixed
- Age range
- 2-17
- Headteacher
- Mr Mark Clutsom
- Pupil roll
- 109 pupils
- Sixth form
- No
Location and contact
Location and contact
Address
- Address
- Polwhele, Truro, Cornwall
- Postcode
- TR4 9AE
- Area
- Cornwall
School leadership
- Headteacher
- Mr Mark Clutsom
School contact
- School phone
- 01872273011
Admissions contact
- Admissions team
- Admissions
- Admissions phone
- 01872273011
Admissions
Admissions
- Application route
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 2-17
- Gender
- Mixed
- Boarding
- No boarders
- Day fees
- Check school fees page
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Check school site
- Entrance details
- Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Admissions note
- GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
Oversubscription and eligibility
Use the official admissions policy for the current priority order and eligibility rules.
Exam and test format
Exam and test format
Entrance route and assessment
Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Assessment route
- Apply direct to school
Application
Application
How to apply
- 1
Apply direct to the school
Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
Check school admissions
Inspection
Inspection
Likely to meet standards
Latest inspection: 2 March 2026
Use the latest ISI report for inspection detail.
Quick summary
- Latest ISI report: Non-Routine Inspections 2026 records an inspection beginning 2 March 2026. The report says the school was likely to meet the relevant standards for the proposed material change.
Similar schools and comparisons
Similar schools and comparisons
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Shortlist comparisons
Related pages and guides
Related pages and guides
Area and ranking pages
Guides and related reading
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does Polwhele House School handle admissions?
Polwhele House School handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
How do I apply to Polwhele House School?
1. Apply direct to the school: Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
When are the key dates for Polwhele House School?
Use the school admissions page to confirm registration, assessment, interview and offer dates.
What does the latest inspection picture look like for Polwhele House School?
Polwhele House School is currently rated Likely to meet standards following the latest published inspection dated 2 March 2026.