Devonport High School for Boys

Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Sixth form

Part of DEVONPORT HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS ACADEMY TRUST

Paradise Road, Stoke, Plymouth, PL1 5QP

01752 208787 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 17 October 2023
Grade 5 or above in English and maths94%England 45% · 2024/25
2nd highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Higher than 97% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,300Room for 1,160 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,234 in 2019, 1,240 in 2021, 1,269 in 2022, 1,238 in 2023, 1,231 in 2024, 1,268 in 2025, 1,300 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.1234 for 208 places, September 2026
4th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Higher than 76% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 17 October 2023.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

271 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.

Plymouth comparisons use the 9 of its 19 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 10 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolPlymouthEngland
My child is happy at this school
3rd highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth.
Higher than 82% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
92% 76% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 3rd highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth.
Higher than 83% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
94% 79% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
2nd highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth.
Higher than 78% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
89% 67% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 79 parents whose child had been bullied
4th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth.
Higher than 56% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
52% 43% 49%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 177 parents who had raised a concern
4th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth.
Higher than 77% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
80% 61% 75%
I would recommend this school to another parent
1st highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Plymouth.
Higher than 93% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
95%said yes 69% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Plymouth figures pool parents at the Plymouth schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

178 pupils in this year group.

94% — 48 points above the Plymouth average, and 49 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolPlymouthEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 94% 46% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 69.3 45.7 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 5.8 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 40% 60% 80% 100% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 96%This school 2023/24: 96%This school 2024/25: 94% This school England 45% 2022/23 96% 2023/24 96% 2024/25 94%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

179 pupils in this year group.

98% — 7 points above the Plymouth average, and 6 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 77%12%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolPlymouthEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 98% 91% 92%
School sixth form 77% 40% 34%
Sixth form college 2% 1% 13%
Further education college 12% 37% 37%
Apprenticeship 6% 9% 3%
Work 1% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
99%98%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

161 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolPlymouthEngland
Average A level grade B- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 32% 22% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 61% 51% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 37.7 34.4 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 38.5This school 2023/24: 37.0This school 2024/25: 37.7 This school England 35 2022/23 38.5 2023/24 37.0 2024/25 37.7

A level subjects, 2024/25

24 subjects, 489 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 74 14% 45% 40%
Biology 62 11% 35% 27%
Chemistry 61 8% 26% 30%
Psychology 44 7% 9% 19%
Business Studies:Single 38 3% 29% 16%
Economics 38 3% 32% 26%
Physics 30 10% 50% 31%
English Literature 23 22% 35% 23%
Geography 22 23% 27% 23%
Mathematics (Further) 15 20% 53% 59%
Government and Politics 12 8% 33% 26%
Computer Studies / Computing 11 9% 45% 24%
History 11 0% 18% 23%
Ancient History 8 13% 25% 16%
Religious Studies 8 0% 13% 22%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 7 0% 14% 17%
Spanish 6 0% 17% 34%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Media/Film/Tv Studies, Drama and Theatre Studies, French, Modern Greek, Music, German.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

183 students in this year group.

86% — 6 points above the Plymouth average, and 7 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolPlymouthEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 86% 80% 79%
Apprenticeship 2% 15% 7%
Work 32% 31% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
90%86%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

166 students in this year group.

69% — 21 points above the Plymouth average, and 9 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolPlymouthEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 69% 48% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 40% 12% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
82%69%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Plymouth. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered208
Families who put it first234
Of those, offered a place208 (89%)
Families who listed it at all261

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.1

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

This is a grammar school: places depend on passing an entrance test (the 11 plus), usually taken in September of Year 6.

Admissions dates and schools in Plymouth

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolPlymouthEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
19th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
8.3% 27.9%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
17th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
0.8% 3.5%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
18th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Higher than 4% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.8% 14.8%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
8th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Higher than 43% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
9.9% 9.4%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Lower than 96% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
4.7% 9.9%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Lower than 98% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.4% 27.5%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2nd lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Lower than 96% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
1.0 28.8 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Lower than 96% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
0.9% 8.2% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.27% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
10th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Higher than 65% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.5 17.0 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
4th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Higher than 86% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.7 11.8 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
11th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Plymouth.
Higher than 26% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
9.6% 10.4%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Devonport High School for Boys's Ofsted rating?

Devonport High School for Boys was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 17 October 2023.

How did Devonport High School for Boys do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 94% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 49 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Devonport High School for Boys?

95% of the 271 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Devonport High School for Boys to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Devonport High School for Boys oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 234 families put Devonport High School for Boys as their first choice for 208 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 208 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.