Leading Parent Partnership Award
At Peterhouse, we aim to support not just the child but also their family. Peterhouse first achieved the LPPA in 2021 and was successfully re-accredited in 2025. The award verifier said “The school have very effective communication methods with parents which are tailored to meet the individual needs of each family… The school really listen to parents, they have a range of mechanisms to identify and respond to parents’ needs”
Career Mark
We aim for students to leave us as successful autistic adults, and offering Work Related Learning and Careers Guidance is a significant part of that. Peterhouse was successfully accredited for the Career Mark Award in September 2025 – the assessor noted “This is an excellent achievement and recognises the quality and breadth of your careers provision. You fully meet all Benchmarks and the accreditation criteria.”
Challenge Partners
Challenge Partners is a network of schools and trusts that collaborate and share best practice in order to enhance the life chances of all children. The network’s Quality Assurance Review 2022 recognised Personal Tutorials as an Area of Excellence.
The Quality Assurance Review 2025 recognises that “The notion of ‘power with’ is evident around the provision. For example, staff coach students, at times modelling learning. They do this ‘with’ students. Such dignity in approach, in turn, helps trusting relationships develop between staff and students.”
Wellbeing Award for Schools
Wellbeing, for pupils, staff and families, is one of our core values. We initially achieved this award in 2018 and were successfully re-accredited in 2022 and 2025. In her most recent report, the Assessor stated “EWMH is given a high profile across the school and as a result all stakeholders talk openly about the importance of EWMH and their contributions to it.”
ArtsMark
Peterhouse was successfully re-accredited for the ArtsMark Gold Standard in July 2025. The assessor noted “You have remained committed to your vison of placing the arts at the forefront in all that you do. You have developed a bespoke curriculum based on the latest autism research which incorporates music to support language and communication development.”
Peterhouse was also recognised as a Trinity Champion Centre in 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2022/23.
Ofsted
Peterhouse was last inspected by Ofsted in 2023. Inspectors noted “Pupils feel happy and safe in school. … Leaders have established a broad curriculum that meets the ambition of the national curriculum. They make sure that pupils follow a tailored pathway based on their needs, not age.”.
Pupil Movie
We are very proud of the ‘Branches’ movie created by Peterhouse students, which won an award as the ‘Most creative short movie’ at NowFest 2024.
Case Studies
We are very proud of one of our Post 16 students, who successfully went to get his hair cut for the first time in many years – we think he looks very smart now!
Quotes from former pupils
I enjoyed all the fun activities and all the amazing lessons. I also enjoyed talking to friends and making news ones who shared interests
My memories of Peterhouse School is just being understood and having people who were very lovely and knew their stuff when I was a pupil but my fondest memory is doing the NASS conference with Lesley and Lynne just recently, that was such an amazing time of my life at Peterhouse School and it was an amazing opportunity to show what Peterhouse has helped me to achieve because without Peterhouse School I won’t be the person I am today and I am so grateful for the support. Just to be part of the school was amazing,
This is what makes the school so so amazing and fantastic to be apart of x Everyone makes it very loving and understands each and everyone is different xx
Perfect understanding of how each individual is different and focused on the positive side of things to make sure everyone was treated equally and not focusing on the negatives of things
Quotes from current and former parents
Our son attended this wonderful school from age 6 to age 20. They supported him and us in every way possible.
I remember so well the fight Pat Minshull had to find the education for her son Peter. She never gave up and 50 years later you can celebrate her great achievement. It’s sad that she is no longer here to celebrate with you. . My lovely grandson is just one of many to reap the benefits of the education she fought so hard for so I am thankful to Pat and the staff at the present day school. X
The first time we visited the school the atmosphere embraced us, it was filled with happiness and love. We knew that it was the right place for our son to go to
From the moment i walked through the doors early 2020 i knew this was the place i wanted my son to attend. We were fully supported when he transitioned from yr5 mainstream school. I am so grateful to all the staff who work hard with him and for the love and support for myself and my husband i can never thank you enough for giving us a place here. The ethos of this school just oozes from all staff and the building as you walk in the care is almost tangible and we are so lucky to have found you Peterhouse School. THANK YOU.
